museumtom Posted 16 December , 2007 Share Posted 16 December , 2007 I am researching Driver James F O'Brien R.F.A. from Cashel who won the French Legion of Honour. In an news paper article its says that he was Recommended by his own authorities for the Victoria Cross. Does that mean he applied for it himself or that according to himself he was recommemded for it by someone else? What do you think guys? He did not get it by the way and died at home in 1915. Kind regards. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 16 December , 2007 Share Posted 16 December , 2007 Id say he didnt apply for it himself but may have thought he was recommended. one would imagine if you where recommended but didnt get it youd get a DCM or MM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 16 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 December , 2007 Reccommended for an MM you say. There were rumours that he may have gotten one but it does not show in SDGW nor CWGC. Regards. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 16 December , 2007 Share Posted 16 December , 2007 have you trawled the gazette (or asked Stebie the gazette master) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 17 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Stebie the Gazette master? Is he on this forum? regards. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Tom Cannot find a MM for O'Brien 58270 , but found a MID for this chap link here Driver O'Brien 58270 135th Battery. MID is dated 8th Oct 1914. Regards Kevin PS 32nd Brigade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Could it mean that his CO recommended him? A recommendation from within one's own unit might not have the weight that one from a Staff officer would have, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 17 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Thanks for all the help guys. Would you believe it Yes that is him mentioned in Dispatches, what a find. Well done Kevin, thank you very very much. Now for the REALLY stupid question if he was MID would that mention exist somewheres? This is exciting stuff. I did not expect to get any leads. Kind regards and many thanks again guys. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrough Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 The link to his MID card is herehttp://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=6729504&queryType=1&resultcount=25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrough Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 As far as I know Tom,this card will only give you his name, rank ,number and the London Gazette date and page number.The MM was not awarded until 1916 so maybe his actions did not merit a VC and he was awarded a Mid instead.Other members should be able to advise on this. Regards, Murrough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 17 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Thanks for all the help guys, one final query please, is it the oak leaf on the victory medal that shows MID? Kind regards. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 thats correct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Tom The despatch that is referred to is here http://www.1914-1918.net/frenchs_third_despatch.htm. Refrence the MM, yes it was not issused till 1916, but if i remember there was some back dated from 1914 that was connected to the bombardment of Hartlepool. Regards Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 I know they got back dated as Ive seen a MM awarded to a man discharged in 1915 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 17 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Thanks again Guys. Keving you say that that is the dispatch he was mentioned in but his name is not there? Any ideas? Kind regards and thanks again guys. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Stebie the Gazette master? Is he on this forum? regards. Tom. hes here all right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Tom Follow the link and it will take you to the 8th Oct 1914 Despatch http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...amp;all=gazette. But as i read it the name was not mentioned in the depatch just the footnote that the despatch is about these men, but has O'Brien was missed on the first one , it was later put in the December issuse with ref to the 8th Oct 1914 despatch. Regards Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 17 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Kevin. I scrolled back and then could see the link. The blind can now see. Fair play to you for the detective work. If it was left up to me I would still be feeling around in the dark. Many thanks for your time and efforts and thanks to everyone else who helped me. Kind regards. Tom., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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