Trying to find medal owner's family - E. Collins FMN M.F.A

[Phil Hughes]

I've had in my possession for many years a 1914-1915 bronze star, belonging to FMN E. Collins M.F.A. Oddly, my Granddad unearthed the medal in his back garden a number of years ago but we've never been able to trace the family of the medal recipient. I would love to get the medal to the rightful owners, with help. 

[mancpal]

Hello  Phil,

I hope you find the recipients family. though I also hope they appreciate your efforts in finding them. I have had a small  input into reuniting 2 sets of WW1 medals with both families delighted. I'd hate to think of seeing the medal being auctioned the week after reunification.

Simon

[RNCVR]

Get registered on the British Medals Forum (link below) & when you are approved a couple days later you could insert an advert advising the members you have this man's 1914-15 star & see what kind of responses you might receive. Someone there might have his missing War & Victory medals in their collection. 

British Medals Forum • Index page (britishmedalforum.com)

[Coldstreamer]

Did any one called Collins ever live there ? 

[RNCVR]

There should be a BT card for this man, but I am uncertain if these cards are downloadable.  Horatio knows his way around the MN & MFA records, if he picks up on this topic he will be able to assist.

[Keith_history_buff]

Looks like the mariner was engaged under a T.124 Agreement, and by dint of serving under the Royal Navy's 1866 Naval Discipline Act would have been eligible for the 1914-15 Star, unlike the typical merchant mariner.

[Keith_history_buff]

Here's part of the MMR medal roll, courtesy of Ancestry. 

I would have thought Edward Collins on the "Patia" would be a likely contender, but at some point he "R[an]" hence the "F[orfeit]".

 

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

32 minutes ago, RNCVR said:

Horatio knows his way around the MN & MFA records, if he picks up on this topic he will be able to assist.

Let's  bring it to @horatio2 's attention.

[horatio2]

The PATIA fireman could not claim his medals and they were not issued. He forfeited his entitlement (RUN).

That leaves just Fireman Edward COLLINS, 907516. A difficult trace without more information on the man.

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

18 hours ago, Phil Hughes said:

my Granddad unearthed the medal in his back garden a number of years ago

Where exactly was this?

[Phil Hughes]

Believe it or not, after living in his house in Kirkby, Liverpool for over 50 years, he was hoeing the borders in his back garden and it just seemed to unearth itself. 

[RNCVR]

Don't you wonder how it got there? Children playing, buried on purpose for whatever reason?

We will never know!

It's in pretty good shape after being in the earth for 50+ yrs.

[Phil Hughes]

I've often wondered exactly how it got there. Apparantly, when Granddad moved in, the back garden was full of scrap metal, from the previous occupants, things like metal bed frames and car parts etc, literally buried in the garden and sticking out of the ground. 🤦🏻‍♂️