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2Bn Coldstream Guards - Sgt A E Hooper


tombowcock

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Hi,

I'm trying to find out a bit more about this chap:-

Sgt Austin Edward Hooper - 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards- KIA 27/08/1918.

I know that he recievied the Military Medal, but can't find a citation for it.

It would be nice to know what the Battalion was doing on 27/08/1918 and if there is a citation for his award.

Anyone any ideas ?

Best Wishes

James

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The Military Medal appeared in the London Gazette of 27th October 1916.

Issue / Page / Date / Details.

29805 / 6 / 27-Oct-16 / 9245 L/Sjt. A. E. Hooper, C. Gds.

The Gazette site is having problems at the moment, so I can't provide a link to the page.

EDIT : Tell a lie, it's working again:

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=

The date of announcement might suggest that it was won during the early weeks of the battle of the Somme, though the Guards Division were not heavily involved until 15th September 1916 at Flers-Courcellete. The date of the Gazette seems a little too quick to be that, so maybe a "holding the line" award rather than a major battle.

Ian / Coldstreamer may well be able to give more information.

Steve.

Edited by Stebie9173
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The date of announcement might suggest that it was won during the early weeks of the battle of the Somme, though the Guards Division were not heavily involved until 15th September 1916 at Flers-Courcellete. The date of the Gazette seems a little too quick to be that, so maybe a "holding the line" award rather than a major battle.

Ian / Coldstreamer may well be able to give more information.

Steve.

Cheers Steve, if anyone could find it in the LG knew it would be you :)

Be interesting to know what it was for !

Cheers

James

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Coldstreamer will know more, but the regimental history comments that in the period 21st Aug - 9th sept, 16, only5 casualties were suffered by the whole Regiment (4 Battns), so your guy was an unlucky chap!

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Hello

no pressure then !

will have a look and come back

I will make up an exciting citation if i find nothing :lol: - not too many elephants mind ! (Blackadder refers)

an

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Hello

No mention re the MM (no elephants either)- the war diary was pretty poor then for this sort of thing

He enlisted (99% sure unless a soldier over 40 or so ) 31/8/11 or the next few days

To France 12/8/14 (no mention on the 14 star roll re being killed - perhaps roll written prior to death?)

The day he died in 1918 (not 1916 Steve) was a bad day - 55 killed, 55 missing and 192 wounded just for starters...

Sorry cant help on the MM details - always bit hit and miss those

Ian

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The day he died in 1918 (not 1916 Steve)

Ian

Eh? :unsure:

Steve.

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Eh? :unsure:

Steve.

Once again.. Thanks chaps for all the help.

Shame about the citation, but I guuess there were so many at the time its impossible to keep track of them all.

Ian...you mention the losses on that date...but where were they ??

Cheers

James

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Hello

only confirming that the date was 1918 and not 1916 - steven said they didnt suffer but they did - he got the yes wrong

Ian

Eh? :unsure:

Steve.

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James - sorry - brain not in gear

will read the diary and try and pinpoint

Ian

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Ah, see it now. Too many Steve's as usual....

Steve.

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Hello

The Btn was at St Leger

Ian

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Hello

The Btn was at St Leger

Ian

Once again..Thanks Ian

Cheers

James

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James

I would suggest an e-mail to the following to see whether they have a local studies section and copies of the local newspaper:

Street Library, Somerset

Gallantry awards to local men often feature and, if you're lucky, details of why it was awarded. A sympathetic librarian may take it upon themselves to conduct a quick search of the paper if you provide a reasonably specific (and sufficiently narrow) date range........

Ed

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James

I would suggest an e-mail to the following to see whether they have a local studies section and copies of the local newspaper:

Street Library, Somerset

Gallantry awards to local men often feature and, if you're lucky, details of why it was awarded. A sympathetic librarian may take it upon themselves to conduct a quick search of the paper if you provide a reasonably specific (and sufficiently narrow) date range........

Ed

Hi Ed,

Thanks for that. I was infact planning a visit to the Somerset Local Studies Library in Taunton to look up the newspapers etc. As I am currently researching ALL of those who feel that have a connection with Street, Somerset. My database is currently running at around 89 record of fallen with local connections, not all of whom are on the town war memorial or the Church memorial

I am liasing with the archivist at C&J Clarks to get access to their records for the period.

If I can get enough information I was looking into the possibility of putting together a book about Street during the Great War. Once again the tie in with Clarks and other big local employers (ie Moorlands). Thought it could be an interesting slant as undoubtedly Clarks would have been making boots for the soldiers at the time. But this again depends on what I can find and what advice and help I can get on pulling together such a large project.

BTW are you from that area Ed ??

Cheers

James

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Hello

like ed says, its worth a go

this place in somerset means something to me re my collection but cant recalll what - if i ever remember and its relevent i will post in

let us know how you get on at the library

Ian

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this place in somerset means something to me re my collection but cant recalll what - if i ever remember and its relevent i will post in

Ian

Hi Ian,

Not sure why this small town in Street would mean too much to you other than that there were two Guardsmen that fell from this town ?

Austin Edward Hooper - 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards - 9245 - KIA 27/08/1918

and

Bertie (Robert ?) Hansford - 3rd Bn Grenadier Guards - 24693 - DOW 31/01/1917

Will try and get down to Taunton in the New Year for a couple of days, then it looks like a week or so in TNA and another week or two in the Clarks archives :-)

If there is anything you want me to look out for in the Somerset Papers PM me and I will try and look out for it when I go down.

All the best and thanks

James

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Hello

there are a few things - I will have a think

The "street" thing is bugging me - it was STRETE in Devon :lol:

Ian

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  • 1 year later...

Found a coldstreamer called Hooper also from Street - have sent you a PM

Ian

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