Brighty1994 Posted 17 April , 2021 Share Posted 17 April , 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin RussT Posted 17 April , 2021 Admin Share Posted 17 April , 2021 His service number of 23/136 tells us he originally joined the 23rd Battalion of the NF (4th Tyneside Scottish). His medal roll tells us he first served overseas with 23rd Battalion but was at sometime posted to the 16th Battalion - however he was once again posted back to the 23rd in which he served last. One way of finding out when a man was awarded an MM is to try to find his entry in the London Gazette, and a way of trying to find why is to look in the War Diary of the Battalion in which he was serving when he earned it. Regards Russ PS: Welcome to the Forum !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin RussT Posted 17 April , 2021 Admin Share Posted 17 April , 2021 Found in the Gazette along with a long list of other recipients June 18th 1917 His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men: — And here is his MM "card" (courtesy TNA) which doesn't tell us much more - although it might mean he was with the 23rd Bn when he earned it - I'm not certain of that. Regard Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brighty1994 Posted 17 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 17 April , 2021 That fantastic thanks that more info than I got thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin RussT Posted 17 April , 2021 Admin Share Posted 17 April , 2021 His low number of 136 tells me he was one of the founder members of the 23rd Bn when it was raised in November 1914. I would recommend the book "Tyneside Scottish - 20th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd (Service) Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers" by Graham Stewart & John Sheen. This will tell you all about their formation, training. deployment to France and their exploits once there. 23/136 N Ord is listed as an MM recipient in the book and he is also listed in the Appendix, which tells us that he was was wounded in September 1916. It is possible, that once he had recovered, this was the reason for why he was posted to the 16th Bn. Regards Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brighty1994 Posted 17 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 17 April , 2021 Al have a look for copy you been great help thanks david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 17 April , 2021 Share Posted 17 April , 2021 (edited) His MM was most likely for the Battle of Arras in April 1917. I would check the 23rd Bn. war diary (as per the MM card) for April-May 1917. His is probably one of a number of MMs awarded to the Battalion: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353908 The prefix in the service no. gives the battalion. Just looking at those listed on the part LG page section that RussT posted above: 23/136 Nathaniel Ord, 23rd Bn. 85042 14240 Henry Purvis 23rd Bn. 85046 21/288 John R Palmer 21st Bn. 85022 26/601 G H Race 26th Bn. 85057 26/1183 E Reardon 85084 There are at least 3 more MMs in that gazette to the 23rd Bn. (4th Tyneside Scottish) between 85042-46, and probably more either side. The battalion were engaged in a major action from trenches at Roclincourt, north of Arras on 9-10th April 1917. Edit - found a few more: 23/513 G A Thompson 85039 23/1370 Wm A Straker 85040 23/1074 Andrew Simpson This means that there are at least 8 23rd Bn. MMs in the 18 June 1917 LG: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30135/supplement/6023 Edited 18 April , 2021 by Ivor Anderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brighty1994 Posted 18 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 18 April , 2021 This great help going go through the Internet to find out more about the tyneside Scottish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 25 April , 2021 Share Posted 25 April , 2021 It looks like one of the field guns the Battalion captured on 9-10th April 1917 may have ended up in Newcastle as a war trophy: The battalion was inspected by both the Corps & Divisional commanders on 18th April - though no mention of medal ribbons being presented. (the battalion was also in a major action on the 29th April). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 25 April , 2021 Share Posted 25 April , 2021 On 17/04/2021 at 19:54, RussT said: One way of finding out when a man was awarded an MM is to try to find his entry in the London Gazette, and a way of trying to find why is to look in the War Diary of the Battalion in which he was serving when he earned it. On 17/04/2021 at 20:09, RussT said: Found in the Gazette along with a long list of other recipients June 18th 1917 Brighty, Welcome to GWF, Another place to look is to look out local newspaper articles - MM sometimes got a mention, even more rarely though perhaps with a photo. :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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