Guest sifi Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Hi. I'm attaching my grandfather's medal card. He was commissioned in the field, but I can't decipher all of the card. Any help much appreciated. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Right, Benjamin Kenney, Went to France on 12th October 1914 with 1st Seaforth Highlanders, as Company Sergeant Major, Regimental No. 8468. Therefore entitled to 1914 Star. Since he was "within range of enemy mobile guns" he was entitled to the Clasp to be worn with the medals (and a "Rose" for just the ribbon on its own). - i.e. "clasp and roses". Also entitled to Victory Medal and British War Medal. His 1914 Star will be enscribed "WOII B. KENNEY" and "Seaforth Highlanders" abbreviated in some way. WOII stands for Warrant Officer, 2nd Class. The references next to the medals are to the medal rolls, for other ranks for his 1914 Star, and for officers for the VM & BWM. Commissioned on 20.1.1915. Mentioned in despatches 4.1.1921. - the "emblem" notation. Everything in the remarks box would refer to correspondence. As an oficer his Service Record file may still exist. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 He went to France 12 October 1914 as CSM {WOII} 8468}He was Commissioned 20th January 1915.He was awarded the 1914 Star,British War & Allied Victory Medals.Further annotations show he was granted the Oak Leaves Emblem[Jan 1921]ie "Mentioned in Despatches" @ least once[meaning there is probaly another card{s},{note"Emblems" etc;}& that he was granted the 1914 Clasp to his 1914 Star & Roses Emblem [Jan 1921]for undress ribbon bar wear}There is another anotation showing that his medal also appear on the Rank & File Roll{R&F},The reference codes refer to the various Medal Roll Pages & War Office Notes* regarding the Clasps & Emblems,{*these are basically for WO use & have no other use as they are not entered anywhere else} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Gone in 60 Seconds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 There is a possible file at the National Archives stored in reference WO 339/82340 KENNEY B, though it may not be him. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sifi Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Many thanks for the very helpful and speedy responses. Fiona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 From the London Gazette. London Gazette 24-2-1916 War Office, 24th February, 1916. The President of the French Republic has bestowed the decoration of the Legion of Honour, with the approval of His Majesty the King, on the undermentioned Officers, in recognition of their distinguished service during the campaign: — Croix de Chevalier. Second Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Benjamin Kenney, Seaforth Highlanders. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Also: LG 10-7-1915 Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's), The undermentioned to be temporary Captains: — Second Lieutenant B. Kenney. Dated 10th June, 1915. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= LG 29-9-1917 Sea. Highrs.— Lt. B. Kenney relinquishes the rank of temp. Capt. 14th July 1917. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= After this he was seconded as a Staff Officer: LG 1-12-1917 ATTACHED TO HD.QR. UNITS, Asst. Proy.-Marshal.— (Graded for purposes of pay as a Staff Capt.).—Lt. B. Kenney, Sea. Highrs., to be secd., and to be temp. Capt. whilst so empld., vice 2nd Lt. A. E. Stevens, Hrs. 10th Sept. 1917. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= LG 12-9-1918 ATTD. TO HD.QR. UNITS. Asst. Prov. Marshals (Cl. FF.).—And to be temp. Capts. whilst so empld.: — Lt. J. Forbes, D.S.O., Sea. Highrs., and to be secd., vice Capt. B. Kenney, D.C.M., Sea. Highrs. 24th May 1918. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= (Basically he became a staf officer between 10-9-1917 and 24-5-1918, possibly as something like a Brigade Liaison officer, perhaps) LG 2-12-1918 Sea. Highrs.— Capt. B. Kenney, D.C.M., to be Adjt. 25th May 1918. (Appointment as Adjutant) http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= LG 16-12-1920 4th Bn., Seaforth Hdrs.—Capt. B. Kenney, D.C.M., Seaforth Hdrs., to be Adjt., vice Capt. (Bt. Maj.) D. W. A. D Mackenzie, D.S.O., Seaforth Hdrs., who vacates that appt. 4th Dec. 1920. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= LG 11-8-1922 Seaforth.—Capt. B. Kenney, D.C.M., retires on ret. pay. 12th Aug. 1922. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= There also only seems to be one B. Kenney as an officer that I can see so the NA file is probably his. Hope this helps, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sifi Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Thank you ever so much. I can't believe how much information you have turned up so quickly. I've ordered the file. Fiona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Just done a little editing above. I'll try to look for his D.C.M. (Distinguished Conduct Medal). Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Not his DCM, but: The following are granted Temp. rank while holding appts. in INDIA as follows: As Capts. While Asst. Prov. Marshalls: Lt (now Capt) B. Kenney, Seaforth Highlanders. (Sept 10, 1917). Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sifi Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Just a postscript in case you are interested. He did get to retirement but died in 1922 of a heart attack - not surprised given the stressful life he lived through North west Indian frontier, Flanders, Mesopotamia etc. His obituary said that he was probably one of the few, if not the only officer in the Seaforths to come through the war without a scratch. Not quite accurate, as he as invalided from Mesopotamia to India for five months in 1916 - but everything is relative I suppose. I know, he was awarded the DCM at some point - would that be on the rank and file roll? Thanks again for taking the time to help. Fiona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 There should be a separate MIC Card for his DCM. It will tell us where in the Gazette to find the citation. It appears to be one of those difficult to find ones. I can't find it however! It may well be mentioned in his file. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sifi Posted 11 April , 2006 Share Posted 11 April , 2006 Many thanks for trying. I should get the file over the next day or so. Fiona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 12 April , 2006 Share Posted 12 April , 2006 R.W.Walker gives him as:~ CQMS; B.KENNY {note mis~spelling}8468 1st Bn; LG 1.4.1915 [Recipients of the DCM 1914~1920]. A real pig to find this one! {even knowing the LG date!} {A search using keyword "Gallantry" {in the fortunate hope that one of the DCM citations of that same date contained that word~it did!}between 30th March 1915 & 2nd April 1915 finally found him though} Actually it is in 30th March 1915 LG Edition 29117 {Page 19 of Online edtn/hit 18 of 36 search for "gallantry"} 8468 CQMS B.Kenny 1st Bn,Seaforth Highrs,:~ "For Gallantry & Ability throughout the campaign,On 8th November 1914 He brought up supports during heavy shell fire to a trench that was being heavily attacked,thereby effectually stopping the enemy's advance" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sifi Posted 12 April , 2006 Share Posted 12 April , 2006 Hi again. Thank you for finding his DCM citation. You are stars and have worked very hard. I got the NA file today but it wasn't his - hey ho. I guess the next thing is to read the War diaries for more details(if I can get to Kew)? But you have given us a lot of information which it would have taken us very long time to find. Thank you so much. best wishes Fiona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 12 April , 2006 Share Posted 12 April , 2006 He has three MICs; Two under "Kenney" 8468{Campaign Medals & MiD} & Another under "Kenny" 8468{DCM} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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