Where did my granddad serve when he won his military cross. 2nd Lieut. Ernest Harold Thornton. RFA.

[Chris Payne 2]

My Grandad was Ernest Harold Thornton. He became a 2nd lieutenant with Royal Field Artillary 15/4/1917. Sometime between then and 24/8/1918 (london gazette supplement) he became a recipient of the Military Cross. He did survive the war. I have done quite a bit of research and have a few war record paperwork, but unfortunately I believe Military cross records for ww1 were destroyed by a bomb in ww2. I would like to know the battle and location where he won his medal so I can go and pay my respects and learn more about my granddad.

[Bob Davies]

Welcome to the 'GWF' Chris Payne 2,

I have moved your post to Soldiers and their Units as this is a more appropriate place for it.

Did you look at the 'Long Long Trail' yet?

Link in blue at the top of the page, this will link you to the Royal Artillery. http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-royal-artillery-in-the-first-world-war/

Certainly worth a search on there, a lot of reading to do but that is what is required in research.

With my regards,

Bob.

 

[charlie962]

7 hours ago, Chris Payne 2 said:

believe Military cross records for ww1 were destroyed by a bomb in ww2

No. Military Cross citations are available. There is even a version with hand annotation if dates and place of action I believe. Another forum member will point you there I hope.

[Ivor Anderson]

8 hours ago, Chris Payne 2 said:

24/8/1918 (london gazette supplement)

LG citation 24 Aug 1918: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30862/supplement/9919 

The hand annotated version is at TNA. It gives the date & location. Ref: WO-389-6_02  

It gives the date of his gallant act as 15 Dec 1917 and location as Nr (near?) El Tirah, in Palestine, in the aftermath of the capture of Jerusalem.

Edited 10 September by Ivor Anderson
Additional Info

[Ivor Anderson]

El Tireh may be Ramallah, north of Jerusalem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-Tira_(Ramallah)   OR - El Tire:

https://www.antiquemapsandprints.com/categories/prints-and-maps-by-country/middle-east/israel-palestine-holy-land/product/world-war-1-palestine-oct-dec-1917-gaza-junction-station-jerusalem-1959-map/P-7-017916~P-7-017916

Edited 10 September by Ivor Anderson
Additional Info

[Chris Payne 2]

Thanks so much for finding this out. It pretty much shocked me as I always thought he fought in France on the Western Front. I'm pretty new to learning about war maps and citatons. What does the numeric reference and Egypt refer to next to his citation on the London Gazette if he won his medal in Palestine and on the Map the black and red marks with numbers? Also TNA?

Many thanks 

[Michelle Young]

The National Archives. 

[Matlock1418]

15 minutes ago, Chris Payne 2 said:

I always thought he fought in France on the Western Front. I'm pretty new to learning about war maps and citatons. What does the numeric reference and Egypt refer to next to his citation on the London Gazette if he won his medal in Palestine

His medal index card [MIC] shows he entered his first theatre of war [ToW], France 5-6-15 as a RAMC,  Sgt, 43748

After his commissioning in the RFA it seems likely he was sent to his second ToW/the Egypt ToW and thence to Palestine [that would be the normal routing into Palestine in my opinion - Palestine was not listed as a separate ToW]

M

Edited 12 September by Matlock1418

[Chris Payne 2]

Many thanks for that. Yeah I have a copy of his index card, but didn't know where to look regarding where he was when he obtained his citation. When would the MC have actually been given to him. Presumably after the war. Maybe 1921? 

[Ivor Anderson]

55 minutes ago, Chris Payne 2 said:

When would the MC have actually been given to him.

His MC index card may give a date of issue or presentation: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14728086

He was presented with his MC on 20 Jan 1920.  However, this card has wrongly listed MC LG date as 26 March 1917.

MC first listed 26 March 1918: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30597/supplement/3746

Edited 12 September by Ivor Anderson

[Matlock1418]

35 minutes ago, Chris Payne 2 said:

When would the MC have actually been given to him. Presumably after the war. Maybe 1921? 

If you have not already looked at local newspapers then I suggest there might be something there ???

Where was he and his family from?

Not sure why you specifically mention 1921 - some family knowledge perhaps??

From the British Newspaper Archive there is this possible [but not certain] entry which might perhaps be your EHT:

Lieutenant E. H. Thornton,'R.F.A., son of Mrs. Reynolds, and stepson Mr. Wm. Reynolds, Athol House. Batheaston (for many years of the Palace Yard Mews, Bath), has been awarded the Military Cross for an act of gallantry and devofcoir .  Saturday 18 May 1918 Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette

[That's from a quick search: I can't read the article as I don't have access and the transcription is their OCR version - presumably "gallantry and devotion"]

M

[Ivor Anderson]

2 hours ago, Matlock1418 said:

His medal index card [MIC] shows he entered his first theatre of war [ToW], France 5-6-15 as a RAMC,  Sgt, 43748

  Yes. Commissioned from the ranks on merit. He had a busy war in 2 major theatres. MIC addresses show BATH (Ancestry):