Guest AndyinOldham Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 Hi, I need some help deciphering my great uncle's medal card. I believe he's buried in Epehy Wood Farm cemetery. The CWGC website states that he was in the 1st/6th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. I gather that he was killed in action, but am struggling to understand what's written by 'Theatre of War'. Also, is there a reason he would have 2 service numbers? Is there any significance in the crosses by the side of 'Victory' and above his name? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 2B is Gallipoli. He was in a Territorial battalion. All men under Territorial enlistment terms were renumbered in March 1917 from old 4-digit numbers to new 6-digit numbers in a group that belonged to that battalion. Numbers 240000 to 280000 belonged to the 6th Battalion. The X and + denote the particulars to be engraved on his medals. i.e. 9820 Pte. W. ROSTERN LAN. FUS. The 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers were with 42nd Division whilst Walter Rostern was with them. You can follow an outline of their war here: http://www.1914-1918.net/42div.htm Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AndyinOldham Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 That's great - thanks. I only discovered recently that he had been awarded medals. How would I go about finding out what he was awarded them for? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 These medals were campaign medals not specific gallantry medals. The Victory & British War Medals were for soldiers (and others) who served overseas at any point during the war. There were more complicated rules but that is the gist. The 1915 Star was for those men who went overseas between 23-11-1914 and 31-12-1915. It was to a large extent the volunteers medal before conscription came in in 1916. Most of the 1914 Star men (overseas to France prior to 22-11-1914) were already soldiers or had already served and were "on Reserve". Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AndyinOldham Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 Thanks again - that's really helpful, and thanks for the swift replies. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Nixon Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 Soldiers Died in The Great War confirms the following: 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers 240728 Private Walter Rostern Born Wigan, Lancs Enlisted Rochdale, Lancs Residence Littleborough, Lancs KinA 13.04.17 France and Flanders Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AndyinOldham Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 Thank you - I wondered what information 'Soldiers who Died...' had. That's great, thanks. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinH Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 The 1915 Star was for those men who went overseas between 23-11-1914 and 31-12-1915. It was to a large extent the volunteers medal before conscription came in in 1916. Sorry to be pedantic, but this isn't strictly true. The 1914-15 Star was issued to those who served in a theatre of war between 05-08-1914 and 31-12-1915, but did not qualify for a 1914 Star. Many soldiers and sailors who fought (and died) before 23-11-1914 received a 1914-15 Star. Regards Gavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 31 May , 2006 Share Posted 31 May , 2006 Sorry, Gavin. I was going to add the detail but I was trying to be careful not to give too much information overload. That's a good way of putting it, though without being too wordy. I'll try and remember that format. Cheers, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinH Posted 1 June , 2006 Share Posted 1 June , 2006 No need to say sorry Steve! ...I was trying to be careful not to give too much information overload. I thought as much, and realised I was being picky, but I still thought I should emphasis that it's a 1914-15 Star rather than a 1915 Star! Regards Gavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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