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Military Cross Citation


tommie

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Please could one of the forums London Gazette experts please help, I am trying to find the Military Cross citation for the following chap:

Lt David McKelvie Royal Engineers.

I found two gazette entries for him, but not the one for his Military Cross. (I am sure I have already found the citation once but god knows what I have done with it).

Temp. 2nd Lt. D. McKelvie, M.C., relinquishes his command on account of ill health and is granted the hon. rank of 2nd Lt. 9th June, 1916.

David resided Armadale, he enlisted in the 9th Highland Light Infantry at the outbreak of hostilities, and he was later promoted from the ranks and transferred to the Royal Engineers (maybe because he was a miner before the war).

David was discharged from the army due to ill health; he died of Illness after being medically discharged from the Army, due to wounds received in action.

Any help or advice on his Military Cross citation would be gratefully received.

Many Thanks Tom

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Can't find his M.C. at the moment, but still looking.

Sorry if you've got this one already but:

London Gazette 6-5-1915

GENERAL LIST.

The undermentioned Non-commissioned Officer and Men, from 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry, to be temporary Second Lieutenants: —

Dated 22nd April, 1915.

Private D. McKelvie..

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

You may want to look at his Officers file at the National Archives which could be one of these two:

WO 339/28987 McKELVIE D, 2/Lieut 1914-1918

WO 339/62129 McKELVIE D [1914-1922]

Don't be put off by the dates, as they refer to correspondence not service.

Steve.

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Thanks Steve

David McKelvie

Copy of David McKelvie's MIC

post-13002-1161854528.jpg

Many Thanks for looking Steve.

Tom

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Hello All,

Just thought id add this picture of David i found in the West Lothian Courier.

Lt David McKelvie MC Royal Engineers.

post-13002-1161854826.jpg

Still having problems with the London Gazette web site, my search results always come up as error!

Tom

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  • 3 weeks later...

Does anyone know of a way to find out what unit within the Royal Engineers David was serving with when he gained his military cross?

Thanks

Tom

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The Service records listed are probably your best chance.

Steve.

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The Service records listed are probably your best chance.

Steve.

Steve,

WO 339/28987 McKELVIE D, 2/Lieut 1914-1918

WO 339/62129 McKELVIE D [1914-1922]

What would be my easiest (Cheapest) way for me to get my hands on these papers?

Tom

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Tom

I have viewed David's death certificate, he died aged 27 of Influenza which developed into full blown pnuemonia on 16th September, 1918. at the time he was in the Kyle Pavillion in Uddingston, Lanarkshire. It gives his occupation as a Civil & Mining engineer, presumably due to the fact he had been discharged it makes no mention of his service unit. The death was reported by his brother in law James Liddell, he gave his address as 171 Hospital Street S.S. (South Side?) Glasgow,

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Easiest way is to find them on the NA catalogue and "Request This" and pay £8.50 per 10-12 pages. This can add up as I would imagine most files are 30-50 pages long! You can give them information to make sure they have the right file, though.

Cheapest way is to get a friendly soul to take some digital camera pics of the files while they are there!

I don't think there is a Cheap AND Easy way....

Steve.

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Tom

I have viewed David's death certificate, he died aged 27 of Influenza which developed into full blown pnuemonia on 16th September, 1918. at the time he was in the Kyle Pavillion in Uddingston, Lanarkshire. It gives his occupation as a Civil & Mining engineer, presumably due to the fact he had been discharged it makes no mention of his service unit. The death was reported by his brother in law James Liddell, he gave his address as 171 Hospital Street S.S. (South Side?) Glasgow,

John

Thank you very much.

Love your page on the Cornwalls by the Way.

Cheers again

Tom

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I don't think there is a Cheap AND Easy way....

True, I've always found its best to go there personally or get someone who is going to photograph the file (thanks again Hugh!) Anyway its a great place to go to anyway, when I get the chance to go I have great difficulty in tearing myself away.

Jerry

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  • 1 month later...

Steve

I found these details about David's MC in the local newspaper archives; would this be able to narrow the date down?

It was while at Loos in September 1915 that Lt David McKelvie gained his military cross for specially successful work in cutting and firing mines in enemy territory.

MC. (LG Date Unknown)

For the admirable manner in which he carried out the arduous and dangerous work of laying four mines under the German trenches, south of hooge. The long period of delay in exploding the mines placed a very heavy strain on those concerned, but due to the keenness and vigilance the operation was an unqualified success, and the success of yesterdays (25th September, 1915) operations was greatly due to the work so admirably performed.

Tom

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Steve,

Just had a go at finding this MC - no joy - but I do belive I have found an MID for him!

This the LG supplement of 1st January 1916 listing those mention in despatches in Sir John French's despatch dated 15th October 1915, and under the heading for the Royal Engineers, on page 24 we have the following:

McKelvie, Temporary Second Lieutenant (Army) D.

Still not got the MC!

Regards,

Matthew

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  • 3 months later...
Steve

I found these details about David's MC in the local newspaper archives; would this be able to narrow the date down?

It was while at Loos in September 1915 that Lt David McKelvie gained his military cross for specially successful work in cutting and firing mines in enemy territory.

MC. (LG Date Unknown)

For the admirable manner in which he carried out the arduous and dangerous work of laying four mines under the German trenches, south of hooge. The long period of delay in exploding the mines placed a very heavy strain on those concerned, but due to the keenness and vigilance the operation was an unqualified success, and the success of yesterdays (25th September, 1915) operations was greatly due to the work so admirably performed.

Tom

I have answered my own question again. (Is that like Talking to yourself or worse?)

David McKelvie's Military Cross was announced in the Kings New Years Honour lists Jan 11th 1916.

Supplement to the London Gazette 14th January 1916

After reading some previous posts I fell lucky to have a News Paper copy of a citation for him.

In a funny coincidence Lt James Martin, Highland Light Infantry, attached 8th Royal Scots is five names above him, the coincidence being William Angus who earned the VC whilst rescuing the above Lt Martin was also Born in Armadale, the same as David McKelvie.

Thanks to everyone for thier help

Tom

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