Douglas Robertson Posted 30 August , 2022 Share Posted 30 August , 2022 I want to ask please if anyone can advise me how to find details of my great uncle’s Military Medal award in the Great War. We used to have a cut-out copy of his story/citation which was printed in an edition of the Scottish Sunday Post many years ago (late 50’s/60’s) describing his actions, I vaguely remember it had something to do with his escape from a German Field Hospital. However with many house moves over the decades the small cut-out has been irretrievably lost. I’m given to understand that it will be gazetted somewhere in the London Gazette but I have so far been unable to find it. I also looked in the Sunday Post archives but again without luck. I hope Admin will allow my request for members’ advice but if it is unacceptable I will of course remove without question. With grateful thanks in advance of any responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 30 August , 2022 Share Posted 30 August , 2022 Hi See How to research an award of the Military Medal (MM) - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk) Your best route may be local newspapers or the war diary. Here is the Gazette entry Page 856 | Issue 13402, 13 February 1919 | Edinburgh Gazette | The Gazette However, given the date I would suggest this was awarded for service of good merit over the war, rather than a specific action. Regards Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 30 August , 2022 Share Posted 30 August , 2022 The LG of 11 Feb 1919 was MMs for the Battle of Amiens around August-September 1918: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31173/supplement/2098 This explains the multiple awards to the battalion given this major action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 30 August , 2022 Share Posted 30 August , 2022 (edited) The British Newspaper Archive seems to have him on casualty lists several times - he started the war in 1914 as a regular with the 1st Bn. Edited 30 August , 2022 by Ivor Anderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Robertson Posted 31 August , 2022 Author Share Posted 31 August , 2022 16 hours ago, jonbem said: Hi See How to research an award of the Military Medal (MM) - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk) Your best route may be local newspapers or the war diary. Here is the Gazette entry Page 856 | Issue 13402, 13 February 1919 | Edinburgh Gazette | The Gazette However, given the date I would suggest this was awarded for service of good merit over the war, rather than a specific action. Regards Jon Thanks Jon - I have it in my head that it was for escaping from a German Field Hospital. Douglas 15 hours ago, Ivor Anderson said: The British Newspaper Archive seems to have him on casualty lists several times - he started the war in 1914 as a regular with the 1st Bn. Hi Ivor and thanks - My great uncle joined up on 03/05/1898 at the age of 14. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 31 August , 2022 Share Posted 31 August , 2022 10 minutes ago, Douglas Robertson said: I have it in my head that it was for escaping from a German Field Hospital. It is possible that he escaped from a front-line field hospital if he was captured and not too badly wounded, around Amiens in August 1918. You need to find that newspaper account! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Robertson Posted 31 August , 2022 Author Share Posted 31 August , 2022 17 minutes ago, Ivor Anderson said: It is possible that he escaped from a front-line field hospital if he was captured and not too badly wounded, around Amiens in August 1918. You need to find that newspaper account! The family story handed down to me is that he was bedded down in a German Field Hospital and noticed that the German doctor came in and hung up his overall/tunic. He simply put it in and walked his way back to the British lines. I cannot of course verify the veracity of this story Ivor but therein lies something of what I hope is a degree of the facts. My intention is to once again contact the Sunday Post and try to get a copy of the original article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 2 September , 2022 Share Posted 2 September , 2022 (edited) Looking in the 11th Bn war diary for 1918: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7352549 War diary entry on 20 Dec 1918: I think the MMs may have been for the 18th August 1918. They repelled a German counter attack on the 19th: 9th Div A&QMG diary - casualties for 18th August 1918 (TNA): Edited 2 September , 2022 by Ivor Anderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 2 September , 2022 Share Posted 2 September , 2022 (edited) Looking at the other 7 MMs to the 11th Bn. in the Feb 1918 LG may reveal further info about Roberston's (9th Division, XV Corps): https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31173/supplement/2098 They all have consecutive MM schedule nos & an AO ref 68/121/748 207191 - Pte James Pennycook 51719 207192 - Sjt J Robertson 6392 207193 - Sjt Alexander Fraser 16597/6597 207194 - Pte (L/Cpl) Andrew Meek 11822 207195 - Pte Roger Thomson Bowser 270561 207196 - Pte Alexander Rorrison 51724 207197 - Not issued? 207198 - Pte John Rogers 51687 207199 - Pte. James Paterson 51817 Edited 2 September , 2022 by Ivor Anderson Additional Info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 2 September , 2022 Share Posted 2 September , 2022 (edited) A MM to James Morton 251021 of 11th Royal Scots was listed in the 9th Div A&QMG diary on 21 August 1918. It was listed in the LG on Nov 1918 - Sch no. 192443 (AO 688). Robertson's MM would likely have been a later (September?) listing, probably on a long list of XV Corps awards. Unfortunately there are no 'honours & awards' listed for September 1918. The XV Corps diaries may have it? Edited 2 September , 2022 by Ivor Anderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 2 September , 2022 Share Posted 2 September , 2022 (edited) XV Corps A&QMG diaries do not seem to list awards: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/838dd4c5d9b54763abe0a21e5e3013a4 An interesting order re recommending immediate awards from August 1918: Edited 2 September , 2022 by Ivor Anderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlersChampagne Posted 8 November , 2022 Share Posted 8 November , 2022 On 02/09/2022 at 10:55, Ivor Anderson said: XV Corps A&QMG diaries do not seem to list awards: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/838dd4c5d9b54763abe0a21e5e3013a4 An interesting order re recommending immediate awards from August 1918: Thanks Ivor - very helpful re the award criteria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_history_buff Posted 8 November , 2022 Share Posted 8 November , 2022 A very interesting post regarding the Army Form W. 3121 being submitted and approved. Thanks for sharing Ivor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 8 November , 2022 Share Posted 8 November , 2022 What an extraordinary service record he has.(very clean copy survives on FindmyPast). Joined as a 14 yr old Drummer 1898 and finally discharged after 21 years Colour Service in 1919. A couple of brushes with authority prewar. To France 20/10/14 , wounded twice 1915, once 1916 and twice 1918. Appointed a/Cpl for conduct in the field 25/2/15, just after first wounding, then an FCGM for insubordination and drunkenness four months later. Sentenced to 84 days FP No1, cut short by his release and second wounding! But no mention of an MM even though gazette is before his discharge?? Am I missing something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 8 November , 2022 Share Posted 8 November , 2022 Note his last wounding was18/8/18, gsw back, and he was admitted SAFA same day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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