Bob Doneley Posted 13 November , 2005 Share Posted 13 November , 2005 Dear all, This is my first posting on this forum, so please forgive any mistakes I may make! I am an Australian, living in Toowoomba in Queensland. My military background is 18 years as a part-time infantryman in the Australian Army Reserve, retiring as major 10 years ago. I've been collecting medals since the late '70's - I now mainly collect WW1 & WW2 groups to Queensland battalions. I've spent the last week reading this forum, and I must congratulate you all on a job well done! In my collection I have 2 x 1914 Stars I acquired nearly 30 years ago, and have done little with since then (I was just starting to collect, and wanted "one of everything.") I was wondering if you can help me with some service detail on these men: 2346 L/Cpl George Morton, Royal Highlanders T-12173 Dvr Joseph Bulley, ASC (What does the T stand for? Territorial?) I have looked on your National Archives, and their first names are as far as I could get! If there is anything I could I could help anyone here with about the AIF, please ask. Bob I would greatly appreciate any information you could give me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombadier Posted 13 November , 2005 Share Posted 13 November , 2005 Bob Welcome to the forum. Here's George http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...resultcount=246 and here's Joseph http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...&resultcount=84. I searched on service number without any name details. A quick look on CWGC doesn't bring up anything so it looks as though they survived (might be mis-spelled on CWGC though) It's a start! Good luck Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auimfo Posted 13 November , 2005 Share Posted 13 November , 2005 G'Day Bob, There's quite a few of us Aussies on the Forum. I'm from way down south in Vic but there's a couple from up in Qld. This is a great place to share info and learn a great deal but unfortunately you've got to put up with the poms trying to give us a hard time about the Ashes and Rugby Union from time to time. I usually let them have their fun since they don't enjoy it all that often!! Tim L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 13 November , 2005 Share Posted 13 November , 2005 hello and welcome T on ASC prefix is New Army Horse Transport I never thought to mention the cricket - but as I dont remember the last occasion... Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnr.ktrha Posted 13 November , 2005 Share Posted 13 November , 2005 Hello, Does the Royal Highlander star have a number prefix ie, 1/R.Highrs or 2/R. Highrs ? If not, I will make some enquiries here in Perthshire. I may be able to find something on the chap. His number would suggest that he enlisted about 1913-14. As a Scot, I was very, very sorry to hear of Englands sneek wins over the Aussies. I hope it will not happen again. You should try living next to this lot !! What is worse, my wife is one!! All the best, Stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Doneley Posted 13 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2005 Thanks everyone for your help. No, there isn't any prefix to the Royal Highlanders on the medal. Am I correct in thinking the Royal Highlanders are the Black Watch? The AIF system was so much easier - 60 battalions, numbered 1 to 60. As to the football & cricket... Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnr.ktrha Posted 14 November , 2005 Share Posted 14 November , 2005 Hello, You are correct, The Royal Highlanders are the Black Watch. I understand that it was after 1921 that they took the offical title of ''The Black Watch''. I have several 1914 Stars to members of this, my local regiment. I have found that medals to the First Battalion never have a number prefix, where as medals to the Second and 5th Battalions do. The First Battalion were in Aldershot in 1914, in the First Brigade of the First Division. Prior to moving to France, they took on about 500 Army Reservists, to bring the battalion up to full strength. Because your medal has a number which indicates an enlistment from about 1913/14, it would seem that your man was on the original strength of the Bn. and not a reservist. I should be able to find out a bit more for you over the next week or so, regarding this chap. All the best, Stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Doneley Posted 14 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 14 November , 2005 Stewart, and everyone else, Thank you for all your help. These medals have lain in my drawer for many years, and it is great to at last discover the men behind them. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrymurland Posted 14 November , 2005 Share Posted 14 November , 2005 Welcome mate! If you ever get to hear of a copy of the History of the 15th Battalion AIF for sale let me know. I've been after one for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Doneley Posted 15 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 15 November , 2005 Welcome mate! If you ever get to hear of a copy of the History of the 15th Battalion AIF for sale let me know. I've been after one for a long time. The 15th's history was reprinted about 20 years ago. Occasionally I'll see a copy floating around for about $70. My great uncle was killed in France in Aug '17 while serving with the 15th, and my cousin Roy served in Tobruk in 1941 with the 2/15th Bn. So I have a soft spot for this unit. I'll keep an eye out for a copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredJCarss Posted 17 November , 2005 Share Posted 17 November , 2005 Hi William George Morton Kia as L/Sgt with the 1st Bn and is commerated on Theipval Memorial. He was born in Reading. Enlisted in Edinburgh. Kia 18.8.16. War Diary entry for 18.8.16 BAZENTIN The Black Watch attack INTERMEDIATE LINE at 4.15.a.m. Casualties :- Lieut. J.M. SCOTT Killed. Lieut. C.H. SKEY Missing. Lieut. F.H. MACDOUGALL Missing. Lieut. D.A. MILLER Wounded. Lieut. R.S.L. MACPHERSON Wounded. Lieut. J.L. MUNRO Wounded. Lieut. T. JOHNSON Wounded at duty. 2nd.Lt. J.R. WELLS Wounded at duty. 2nd.Lt. F.J.C. DIXON Wounded at duty. O.R. Killed 12. Wounded 75. Missing 40. Hackle Diary report for the 18th Battalion again attacked INTERMEDIATE LINE unsuccessfully. 3 Officers (Lts. SCOTT, SKEY and MACDOUGALL) were killed. 1 (Lts. MILLER, MACPHERSON, MUNRO and JOHNSON, 2/Lts. WELLS and DIXON) wounded. O.R. 12 killed, 75 wounded, 40 missing. Total 9 Officers and 127 O.R. Awards:- M.C. Lieut. JOHNSON. D.C.M. Sgts. DOCHERTY & BANKS Pte. SNEDDON. M.M. Sgt. GARDINER Cpl. THOMSON L/Cpl. JAMIESON, Ptes. MCLACHLAN, WILSON, O'DEA, MCEWAN, ROBINSON and DAVIDSON. He was never in the published wounded lists and he was never individually named in the war diary. Nice medal to have - I wish you well - enjoy it Kind regards Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Doneley Posted 17 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 17 November , 2005 Fred, Thank you for that unexpected reply! His medal does not have the initial W on it - just the G. The regimental number & name is, of course, correct. I don't recall seeing a medal with a first initial left off. Is that common? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredJCarss Posted 17 November , 2005 Share Posted 17 November , 2005 Hi Bob I have seen many variations on name/initials so I would not say it is rare. In researching someone it better to try as many variations as you can think of - including spelling! Glad you liked it Regards Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredJCarss Posted 17 November , 2005 Share Posted 17 November , 2005 Bob Just a passing thought - I probably have have a photo of his name on the memorial. If you want it e.mail me your e.mail. Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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