SteveE Posted 26 November , 2007 Share Posted 26 November , 2007 Pals James Frederick Ellison (Royal Marine Light Infantry) was, according to some of his entries in the London Gazette, awarded the MC and the DCM. His LG "career" seems to start as a Serjeant-Major in the RMLI and rises to the Acting rank of Major whilst 2nd in command of a battalion (the 25th Royal Fusiliers and this happens to be where my interest lies) whilst on secondment. I've found the Gazette for his MC (New Years Honour and all that) but can't find the one for his DCM, can anybody help?? Yours Hopefully Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 26 November , 2007 Share Posted 26 November , 2007 Have you tried his service register in ADM159? What was his service number? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Lynott Posted 26 November , 2007 Share Posted 26 November , 2007 He is not listed in Walkers as a recipient in the RMLI block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 26 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 26 November , 2007 Have you tried his service register in ADM159? What was his service number? In answer to your questions, No and I don't know. I've only identified him today and it was whilst looking for his commissions in the London Gazette that he appears, first as a Serjeant-Major (no service number indicated) on his commission as a Lieutenant in September 1914. There's still no sign of a DCM until after he's been promoted to Temp/Captain and awarded the MC (1st Jan. 1918). He suddenly becomes MC, DCM in March 1918 when he returns off secondment. He's still shown as MC, DCM when he is appointed Recruiting Staff Officer at Bristol in 1920 so I'm a bit baffled at the moment, especially as he's not shown in Walkers DCM recipients (many thanks Kevin). Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 26 November , 2007 Share Posted 26 November , 2007 He's not on the WW1 list of RM DCMs in General Blumberg's Britain's Sea Soldiers 1914-1919. He could have earned it in service prior to WW1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 26 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 26 November , 2007 He's not on the WW1 list of RM DCMs in General Blumberg's Britain's Sea Soldiers 1914-1919. He could have earned it in service prior to WW1. I had thought of that myself but then wouldn't he have been shown as DCM prior to his commissions instead of so late in the war? I'm beginning to think it was an error, I guess the only way to find out will be to check out his file. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domwalsh Posted 27 November , 2007 Share Posted 27 November , 2007 According to my list of RM honours and awards, he was the only marine DCM winner for the pre-war Nandi Expedition, Central Africa, when he was a colour sergeant. His MC was listed as "for distinguished service in the field in East Africa" LG 1/1/18. In another RM book I have he is noted in 1920 as being "Captain MC DCM RMLI - recruiting staff officer, Bristol". Hope that helps. Dom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domwalsh Posted 27 November , 2007 Share Posted 27 November , 2007 By the way, Blumberg lists him as serving with No 1 Co Plymouth Batt in Dardanelles and being wounded 11/4/15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 27 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 27 November , 2007 According to my list of RM honours and awards, he was the only marine DCM winner for the pre-war Nadi Expedition, Central Africa, when he was a colour sergeant. His MC was listed as "for distinguished service in the field in East Africa" LG 1/1/18. In another RM book I have he is noted in 1920 as being "Captain MC DCM RMLI - recruiting staff officer, Bristol". Hope that helps. Dom Dom That's excellent news! thanks. I now have a positive lead to follow His MC description also fits in very nicely with what I know as he was briefly second in command of the 25th Royal Fusiliers in the East Africa theatre of operations. Thanks again. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 27 November , 2007 Share Posted 27 November , 2007 From The Times, Saturday 16th Novemeber 1901 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 27 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 27 November , 2007 That's excellent, thanks Steve. The Forum triumphs again!!!! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 27 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 27 November , 2007 Also found it in the London Gazette #27377 dated 15th November 1901. You can see why searching the London Gazette can be so much fun at times the OCR had a field day with his entry..... The King has further been pleased to appiove of the grant of the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Fit-Id to the undermentioned Soldiers, .in recognition of their gallant conduct during tl.e operations against the Nandi, and the operations in Ashanti, respeitivcly : — Colour-Sergeant J. E.lison, Royal Marine L;ght Infautry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 27 November , 2007 Share Posted 27 November , 2007 Hic ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 27 November , 2007 Share Posted 27 November , 2007 Pre war Attested 1887, Corporal 1889, Sergeant 1890, Colour Sgt 1897, LS& GC Medal, Barrack Sgt 1904 Sgt Major 1906. “Feb 1897 Present at attack on Benin – specially recommended [East and West Africa (called the Ashanti in his records) Medal Benin 1897 Clasp]. Seconded to Uganda Protectorate, noted as Swahili speaker. Served during operations in Uganda 1898-9 [East and Central Africa Medal Uganda 1898-9 Clasp] and 1900 [Arica General Service Medal Uganda 1900 Clasp]: Mentioned in Dispatches 10 Sept 1901, Distinguished Conduct Medal” 15 Nov 1901. Great War Served Dunkirk and Defence of Antwerp: 1914 Star and Clasp trio. Landed “Y” beach 25 April 1915, “W” Beach 28/4/15. Gunshot wound to groin, fractured pelvis 10 May 1915, reported 11/5/15 evacuated eventually to Plymouth. HMS Vengence (Special Service) 17 Dec 1915-30 Jan 1916; seconded to Royal Marine Artillery Brigade. Present at: the bombardment of Saleta Hill 9/3/16, bombardment of Reata and Latima Hills 18/3/16. Join Mssanga column, in charge of two 12 pdr field guns 1/12/16 supporting infantry advancing to Rafiji River. Returned to Daare Salaam 1/3/17 to Lindi 10/4/17 [Appreciation of Their Lordships of the Admiralty for his repair of a damaged 4” gun]. Mentioned in Dispatches by CinC East Africa 30/5/17 LG 5/3/18 (amended by LG 11/6/1920). Second in Command 25th Royal Fusiliers 6/7/17-23/9/17 during operations in the field – local Major without pay. In charge No.3 Sub-Section RMA Heave Battery supporting the infantry in attacks from 24/9/17-3/1/18. Embarked for England 4/1/18, acting Adjudent Plymouth Division 11/11/1918 to 18/5/19; HMS Impregnable (training ship) 19/5/19-30/11/19; Recruiting Staff Officer Bristol 1/1/1920-17/10/22; retired as Major 1810/22. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 28 November , 2007 Share Posted 28 November , 2007 IMHO he deserved the MC and the rest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 28 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 28 November , 2007 Pre war Attested 1887, Corporal 1889, Sergeant 1890, Colour Sgt 1897, LS& GC Medal, Barrack Sgt 1904 Sgt Major 1906. “Feb 1897 Present at attack on Benin – specially recommended [East and West Africa (called the Ashanti in his records) Medal Benin 1897 Clasp]. Seconded to Uganda Protectorate, noted as Swahili speaker. Served during operations in Uganda 1898-9 [East and Central Africa Medal Uganda 1898-9 Clasp] and 1900 [Arica General Service Medal Uganda 1900 Clasp]: Mentioned in Dispatches 10 Sept 1901, Distinguished Conduct Medal” 15 Nov 1901. Great War Served Dunkirk and Defence of Antwerp: 1914 Star and Clasp trio. Landed “Y” beach 25 April 1915, “W” Beach 28/4/15. Gunshot wound to groin, fractured pelvis 10 May 1915, reported 11/5/15 evacuated eventually to Plymouth. HMS Vengence (Special Service) 17 Dec 1915-30 Jan 1916; seconded to Royal Marine Artillery Brigade. Present at: the bombardment of Saleta Hill 9/3/16, bombardment of Reata and Latima Hills 18/3/16. Join Mssanga column, in charge of two 12 pdr field guns 1/12/16 supporting infantry advancing to Rafiji River. Returned to Daare Salaam 1/3/17 to Lindi 10/4/17 [Appreciation of Their Lordships of the Admiralty for his repair of a damaged 4” gun]. Mentioned in Dispatches by CinC East Africa 30/5/17 LG 5/3/18 (amended by LG 11/6/1920). Second in Command 25th Royal Fusiliers 6/7/17-23/9/17 during operations in the field – local Major without pay. In charge No.3 Sub-Section RMA Heave Battery supporting the infantry in attacks from 24/9/17-3/1/18. Embarked for England 4/1/18, acting Adjudent Plymouth Division 11/11/1918 to 18/5/19; HMS Impregnable (training ship) 19/5/19-30/11/19; Recruiting Staff Officer Bristol 1/1/1920-17/10/22; retired as Major 1810/22. This is excellent, many thanks for supplying such an informative and comprehensive summary of his service career, it is very much appreciated. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 28 November , 2007 Share Posted 28 November , 2007 I confess it seemed so interesting I had a look when I was at Kew. Forgot to say the details are a combination of ADM 196/64 & ADM 196/67 his Officer's and Warrent Officer's service records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domwalsh Posted 28 November , 2007 Share Posted 28 November , 2007 What a fantastic medal group he must have had. Wonder where they are now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 28 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 28 November , 2007 I confess it seemed so interesting I had a look when I was at Kew. Forgot to say the details are a combination of ADM 196/64 & ADM 196/67 his Officer's and Warrent Officer's service records. In that case, thanks for taking the time out of your own research schedule to have a look. I'm amazed (although knowing this forum I shouldn't be) that within 24 hours of positively identifying him as 'my' man that I have his full service history. Thanks to all for your help. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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