aim Posted 30 November , 2023 Share Posted 30 November , 2023 keithmroberts, One of my grandfathers became a musician in the Royal Marines Band in 1908. He received the 1914-15 Star. Most of his war was spent patrolling the North Sea, not meeting Germans, so he didn't get the 1914 Star even though he had volunteered in plenty of time. Perhaps the North Sea and the English Channel were declared theatres of war in 1915 because you didn't know if you would come across the enemy or not. Any thoughts welcome! aim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 30 November , 2023 Share Posted 30 November , 2023 Without knowing the man concerned, one can only assume that he did not serve with the RND in Belgium (Defence of Antwerp) to qualify for the 1914 Star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 30 November , 2023 Share Posted 30 November , 2023 He likely served on one of the pre Dreadnought or Dreadnought battleships, during 1914-15 period thus qualifying him for 1914-15 star + War & Victory medals. These large ships carried RM Bandsmen. If you give us a name that would assist locating his Service Record thus ID' ing his ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 30 November , 2023 Admin Share Posted 30 November , 2023 I’ve spilt this into a new thread to stop hijacking the original post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_history_buff Posted 30 November , 2023 Share Posted 30 November , 2023 3 hours ago, aim said: keithmroberts, One of my grandfathers became a musician in the Royal Marines Band in 1908. He received the 1914-15 Star. Most of his war was spent patrolling the North Sea, not meeting Germans, so he didn't get the 1914 Star There will have been a number of soldiers of the British Army who enlisted prior to the outbreak, who will not have received the 1914 Star, given they did not serve on land in France & Flanders between 5 August 1914 and the evening of 22 November 1914. Likewise, given your grandfather was not there, he did not have an entitlement to a 1914 Star. If he had served at sea, in a theatre of war, prior to 31 December 1915, then he had entitlement to a 1914-15 Star instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_history_buff Posted 30 November , 2023 Share Posted 30 November , 2023 To be more precise 'The star will be granted... (a) to officers and men... who were mobilized and served (1) at sea or (2) on shore within the theatres of military operation (b)... (c)... (d)...' https://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/ww1_1914_15_star_award.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aim Posted 3 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2023 On 30/11/2023 at 16:53, RNCVR said: He likely served on one of the pre Dreadnought or Dreadnought battleships, during 1914-15 period thus qualifying him for 1914-15 star + War & Victory medals. These large ships carried RM Bandsmen. If you give us a name that would assist locating his Service Record thus ID' ing his ships. RNCVR - Thanks for this, but I've already got his records. He was on the King Edward VII from the 17th. of May 1912 to the 6th. of January 1916. I don't think he came in contact with the enemy in 1914 or 1915. My question is, was the North Sea in 1915 declared a "theatre of war"? aim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_history_buff Posted 3 December , 2023 Share Posted 3 December , 2023 Just now, aim said: My question is, was the North Sea in 1915 declared a "theatre of war"? aim Quote The star will be granted... (a) to officers and men... who were mobilized and served (1) at sea https://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/ww1_1914_15_star_award.htm He was at sea, so this meets the requirement as stipulated by The Admiralty, as issuer of 1914-15 Star to Royal Marine officers and men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 3 December , 2023 Share Posted 3 December , 2023 12 minutes ago, aim said: RNCVR - Thanks for this, but I've already got his records. He was on the King Edward VII from the 17th. of May 1912 to the 6th. of January 1916. I don't think he came in contact with the enemy in 1914 or 1915. My question is, was the North Sea in 1915 declared a "theatre of war"? aim Yes, definitely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aim Posted 3 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2023 8 minutes ago, Keith_history_buff said: He was at sea, so this meets the requirement as stipulated by The Admiralty, as issuer of 1914-15 Star to Royal Marine officers and men. Keith_history_buff, Amazing - every man who left port for ten minutes was awarded a medal! RNCVR, Thanks again. aim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_history_buff Posted 3 December , 2023 Share Posted 3 December , 2023 For the British War Medal, 28 days mobilised service was required of a Royal Marine, at sea, or elsewhere. For the Victory Medal, those ratings and marines 'mobilized and rendered approved service either (i) at sea between midnight 4-5 August 1914, and midnight 11-12 November, 1918; or (ii)....' were eligible. You will have to provide a source of information that confirms your theory that ten minutes service was indeed long enough for a rating or marine to be awarded the 1914-15 Star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_history_buff Posted 3 December , 2023 Share Posted 3 December , 2023 Similar text for both the Victory Medal, and the 1914-15 Star, as to what did not count as service at sea onboard a vessel, as eligible - for a rating, marine or officer - to claim the campaign medal. The full text is viewable on the link already posted. The following service does not qualify: (a).. (b).. (c) Service of a temporary and special nature in ships of war or theatres of operations - e.g. casual inspections and inquiries, purchase of material, passage etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aim Posted 4 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2023 Keith_history_buff, OK, thanks, aim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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