davidfegga Posted 23 October , 2005 Share Posted 23 October , 2005 Hi all Am trying to find out more on this soldier, pte James Flavell 10020 of the above regt. He's not on the CWGC site although his MIC states he was kia 12/10/1918. He also has MM next to his name, is this a military medal? as there is no mention on his MIC of this? (Card attached). Have done a search on the London Gazette site , but didn't return anything. His name is on the Bilston war memorial (thanks to Doug Lewis) Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gunners dream Posted 23 October , 2005 Share Posted 23 October , 2005 Dave, His details are recorded on the CWGC site, it's just a matter of different initials: Name: FLAVELL Initials: R W Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment: South Staffordshire Regiment Unit Text: 1st/5th Bn. Date of Death: 12/10/1918 Service No: 10020 Awards: MM Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. C. 2. Cemetery: BUSIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION Also in the SDGW: Records his christian names as James William. Born: Bilston, Staffs Enlisted: Wolverhampton Resided: Bilston, Staffs Steve Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 23 October , 2005 Share Posted 23 October , 2005 The London Gazette site seems to be "having a Rest" at the moment: Good job I've got him on my list: 10020 Pte. J. W. Flavell, S. Staff. R. (Bilston). London Gazette No. 30507 4th February 1918. That would place the action around Oct/Nov 1917, but it probably wasn't Cambrai since there are no Tank Corps MMs in that Gazette. Nor were 46th Division involved for that matter. Hill 70 is the nearest major action involving 46th Division back in August 1917. I would think it was probably won "In the line" rather than as part of a major battle(if he was with the 1/5th Battalion at the time). Someone with access to the War Diary would probably be able to help. Talking of which the earlier part of the War for the 5th South Staffs is summarised here: http://www.1914-1918.net/Diaries/wardiary-5SStaffs.htm This of course assumes that he stayed with the 5th Battalion all through the War. EDIT : Which it appears from his number (a Regular/New Army number, not a TF number) and his first Theatre of War that he wasn't... His specific MIC for the MM will tell you what unit he was in at the time: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...1&resultcount=5 I would suggest that he was originally in the 7th (Service) Battalion (New Army) Formed at Lichfield, August 1914, as part of K1. August 1914 : attached to 33rd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division, landed Suvla Bay, Gallipoli (Balkans) 7th August 1915 (the arrival in the Theatre of War date for many of the Balkans theatre men is often the date when they landed on the islands of Mudros/Lemnos in preparation to go to Gallipoli) The 11th Division later went back to France for the later battles of the Somme in 1916 and 3rd Ypres in Summer 1917. It is possible that Pte. Flavell was wounded winning the MM at Passchendaele in October 1917 and later transferred to the 1/5th. A bit of speculation there but hopefully nothing too wild... Hope this helps, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 23 October , 2005 Share Posted 23 October , 2005 Dave James William Flavell earned his M.M. while serving with the 2/5th South Staffords. Steve is possibly right because as part of the 59th Division they and the 2/6th were the only Btns of the South Staffords to take part in the both the Third Battle of Ypres and Cambrai. Looking at his M.I.C. Steve is correct in saying Flavell would have originally served with the 7th Btn, as the 7th Btn was the only South Stafford Btn to serve in the Balkans. Flavell would have been transferred to the 1/5th on or around 30th January 1918, as the 2/5th were chosen as the Btn to be disbanded under the scheme to reduce Brigades to three battalions. Regards Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 23 October , 2005 Share Posted 23 October , 2005 Thanks, Doug. Never can be quite sure if anyone has more detailed information on MM winners... So the main imponderable left is when he transferred from the 7th to the 2/5th? Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidfegga Posted 24 October , 2005 Author Share Posted 24 October , 2005 Thanks all for your help, shall get researching. Never thought to check under different initials on the CWGC site! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidfegga Posted 24 October , 2005 Author Share Posted 24 October , 2005 Have downloaded his MM MIC ,(attached), would these references help find out more about his award? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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