Protocol for inscribing medals of those who changed regiments during the war

[dhubthaigh]

What was the protocol for inscribing medals for men who changed regiments during the war?

I have the 1914/15 Star, War & Victory Medals for John McNie who went out with the 6th Black Watch (No. 2421) and was transferred to the Labour Corps (No. 262389) His name appears in the Labour Corps Medal Rolls but all medals are inscribed 2421 R. Highrs.

Similarly  I have the 1914/15 Star and Victory Medal for John Robertson who went out with the 6th Black Watch (No. 1328) and was transferred to the A.S.C. His name appears in the R.A.S.C. Medal Rolls but the Star and Victory Medals are inscribed 1328 R. Highrs.

Were there also instances where the 1914/15 Star was inscribed with the regiment with whom the man first served but the War & Victory medals were inscribed with the details of the regiment last served with.

Any help appreciated.

[kenf48]

Medals were named to the unit in which he first served in the theatre of war. A slip which accompanied the BWM and VM, which were sent out by registered post by the Record Office of the last unit to the address given on demobilisation which is why they were on the last unit Roll, read:

"To avoid unnecessary correspondence, kindly note that the Regtl. particulars inscribed on the British War & Victory Medals are those held on first disembarkation in a theatre of war. The rank is the highest attained, PROVIDED IT WAS HELD IN A THEATRE OF WAR OR OVERSEAS PRIOR TO 11.11.18. Appointments such as L/Sgts., L/Cpl/, etc. are not inscribed on Medals, SPECIAL NOTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN RIFLE REGTS. 'Rifleman" is not inscribed on War Medals, "Pte." being the correct designation of this rank."

The 14-15 Star was distributed earlier but unit first served in was still the norm though often with this medal they appear on the original unit roll with a note in. the Remarks column 'transferred to..'

24 minutes ago, dhubthaigh said:

Were there also instances where the 1914/15 Star was inscribed with the regiment with whom the man first served but the War & Victory medals were inscribed with the details of the regiment last served with.

No. There are instances where medals were returned for correction due to incomplete information on the respective Roll but the correct protocol was as described above. .

 

 

[dhubthaigh]

Excellent, thanks very much.

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

Normally the medals are impressed with the unit first served with "overseas" however as with all WW1 documentation and resultant issues there are errors, I have the 1914-15 Star trio to a Sergeant who went to France 14/02/1915, with 1/1st Cambridgeshire Regt, transferring to South Staffords in 1916, but whose Star was issued through S.Staffs channels, erronously named and numbered to South Staffords, the BWM and Victory being correctly named and numbered (with pre 1916 4 figure number) to "Camb. R", though being issued by S. Staffs, such errors were relatively common.

 

Edited 12 December , 2023 by HarryBettsMCDCM
Spelling check

[FionaBam]

On 03/10/2023 at 11:06, kenf48 said:

Medals were named to the unit in which he first served in the theatre of war. A slip which accompanied the BWM and VM, which were sent out by registered post by the Record Office of the last unit to the address given on demobilisation which is why they were on the last unit Roll, read:

"To avoid unnecessary correspondence, kindly note that the Regtl. particulars inscribed on the British War & Victory Medals are those held on first disembarkation in a theatre of war. The rank is the highest attained, PROVIDED IT WAS HELD IN A THEATRE OF WAR OR OVERSEAS PRIOR TO 11.11.18. Appointments such as L/Sgts., L/Cpl/, etc. are not inscribed on Medals, SPECIAL NOTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN RIFLE REGTS. 'Rifleman" is not inscribed on War Medals, "Pte." being the correct designation of this rank."

The 14-15 Star was distributed earlier but unit first served in was still the norm though often with this medal they appear on the original unit roll with a note in. the Remarks column 'transferred to..'

No. There are instances where medals were returned for correction due to incomplete information on the respective Roll but the correct protocol was as described above. .

 

 

@MikeWthis helps