Have I got the right medal card ?

[grannysrock]

Hello I hope soemone can help me out of my confused state !

The following definitely relates to my great grandfather. William M Sime:

He was a volunteer in the 1st Lanark Rifles during the 1890's.

In 1898 he was a 2nd Lieutenant (We have his certificate of proficiency from the School of Instruction.

I found in the Gazette June 5 1900, Ist Lanarkshire 2nd Lieut. W M Sime to be Lieutenant dated 6th June.

Later that month WIlliam sailed to Singapore . For the next 25 years he was based in the Straits Settlements, with regular trips back to Scotland. Most of the rest of his family were in Edinburgh.

I found in the Gazette Nov 27 1900, Ist Lanarkshire, Lieutenant W M Sime resigns his commission.

OK So far ? Now we jump forward to 1915 . We have a photo of William in uniform taken that year in Malacca and I am told he was a Captain at the time.

That year the Malacca Volunteer Rifles were raised and according to his son, William was behind this & put a fair bit of money into setting it up. He also put money into fighter planes for the defence of the Straits Settlements.

In June 1919 Major William M Sime, Malacca Volunteer Rifles was awarded the OBE ( military )

for services rendered in connection with the war.

What I wanted to know is what happened in between 1900 and 1919 ( in a military sense ) . - I have collated various references to a W Sime of the 1st Lowland Brigade. What I don't know is whether its the same person as my great grandfather or not.

Gazette Issue 28180 published on the 25 September 1908. Page 10 of 76

1st City of Edinburgh Battery, Ist Lowland Brigade; Lieutenant William Sime,

from the 1St Edinburgh(City) Royal Garrison Artillery(Volunteers), to be Lieutenant,

with precedence as in the Volunteer Force. Dated 1st April, 1908.

Gazette Issue 28216 published on the 19 January 1909. Page 8 of 88

1st City of Edinburgh Battery, Ist Lowland Brigade; Lieutenant William Sime,

to be Captain.Dated 1st April, 1908.

Gazette Issue 29820 published on the 10 November 1916. Page 11 of 14:

War Office 11th November 1916,

TERRITORIAL FORCE

ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY

Lowland Brigade.- Capt. W Sime to be Maj. 31st Oct 1916

Gazette Issue 30499 published on the 25 January 1918. Page 10 of 14:

ROYAL HORSE AND ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY:

...

Maj William Sime to have precedence as from 1st June 1916 and seniority next below Maj.A. Constantine.

Gazette Issue 30800 published on the 16 July 1918. Page 2 of 12:

The undermentioned temp. appts. are made at the War Office:-

Staff-Capt: - Maj. W.Sime, R.H. & R.F.A., T.F.,

Gazette Issue 30977 published on the 25 October 1918. Page 1 of 12:

Temp. appts. at the War Office:-

Staff-Capt: - The Appt. of Maj. W .Sime, R.A., T.F. is postdated to 4th July 1918

Gazette Issue 31226 published on the 11 March 1919. Page 1 of 16

..

Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery

M.C.

Major William Sime

Gazette Issue 31424 published on the 27 June 1919. Page 2 of 16:

The following reliquish their temp. appts. at the War Office;-

...

Staff Capt. :- Maj. W. Sime, T.D., R.A., T.F., 26th May 1919

Gazette Issue 32221 published on the 8 February 1921. Page 6 of 6:

TERRITORIAL FORCE RESERVE

Artillery:- Maj. W.Sime, T.D., from 1st Lowland Bde to be Maj., 9th February 1921

Gazette Issue 32588 published on the 25 January 1922. Page 7 of 10:

War Office, 25th January 1922.

TERRITORIAL ARMY

The undermentioned Offrs relinquish their commns, 30th September 1921, under A.O. 166/1921, as amended by A.O. 332/1921, and retain their rank, except where otherwise stated : -

....

TERRITORIAL ARMY RESERVE.

Artillery

...

Maj. W.Sime , T.D. , with permission to wear the prescribed uniform

So I have downloaded this William Sime's medal card. I don't really fully understand all the notations,

but it indicated he got the 1914-1915 Star ( as Captain ) , the British war Medal and the Victory Medal

( as Major ) and he entered a theatre of war on 23rd October 1915 ( doesn't seem to say where ).

So my FIRST dumb question - are these 2 Major William Sime's the same person ? The middle initial M is never seen in all these references - he seems always to have used his middle name in civilian life, and I don't know if would have been in Edinburgh for a long enough period to be in the 1st City of Edinburgh Battery?

If it's not the same person, how would he have become a captain and then a major ? I have been

through every single Sime reference in the Gazette and this was the only candidate !

Thanks for any help !

[Armoured Farmer]

Shunter,

He may have documents at Kew: -

WO 339/72006 SIME W [1914-1922]

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...;accessmethod=0

WO 374/62378 SIME, Capt W 1915-1919

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...;accessmethod=0

WO 374/62379 SIME, Major W 1903-1921

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...;accessmethod=0

Possibly the last one.

Regards

Hugh

[grannysrock]

Thanks Hugh,

Sorry for not replying sooner, I didn't realise there had been an answer.

I'll see if I can find someone to go to Kew for me

Thanks again