Black Posted 15 January , 2008 Share Posted 15 January , 2008 Good morning Forum members. This is my first post. I had almost given up trying to find out the details of this particular officer's decorations until I came across your website yesterday by accident. I also note that in several places there is advice that accessing the London Gazette is "difficult" - an understatement when you are trying to access it from Australia! The gentleman concerned is 2Lt James George Grant FLEMING, originally from Edinburgh, as I have his NOK details. I believe that he may be a distant relative of mine, or at least a member of a family close to my ancestors who migrated to Australia from Kircaldy in about 1910. JGGF's bother, Norman Fleming served with the 9th Light Horse Regt, AIF and was killed at the battle of Es Salt in 1917. I have already obtained some details on JGGF from your National Archives and have received photocopies of two Medal Index Cards: The first (Cat Ref: WO/372/7) shows he enlisted as a Pte in "4/R Scots" with Regt No 1317; then "Lt, Gordon Hln"; them "Lt-x, I.A." (Indian Army?). The words "Emblems" (presumably MID?) and "(2b) Balkans" also appear on the card, but the rest of the detail is unreadable. The second is a photo (neg no 001628) of a medal card titled MILITARY CROSS, awarded to "Fleming, James George Grant, Temp. 2nd Lt. Gord Highrs." Gazetted to MC: 18.7.17; Decorated: 19.12.17. I have no documenttation concerning the DSO. Other documentation I have refers to him having both the DSO and MC. I thought this was highly unusual for such a junior officer to have the DSO. My efforts to find the appropriate Gazette extarcts to read the citations for both awards have so far come to nought. So, in summary, I suppose my queries can be summarised as follows: Could someone kindly point me in the direction of the correct London Gazette entries for his DSO and MC? If that is not possible, suggest a method of attack to find same whilst opearting from Down Under? Could someone kindly translate the other material on his MIC for me? Many thanks in anticipation. I must compliment you on a wonderful website and Forum. One could easily be distracted for hours and hours, but this, of course, would incur penalties such as short rations and restriction of privileges from GOC Home Command... Aye, "Black" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 15 January , 2008 Share Posted 15 January , 2008 Welcome to the forum, His Citation for DSO, London Gazette #30251, dated 25th August 1917.... T./2nd Lt. James George Grant Fleming, Gord. Highrs. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a night attack he successfully established his company in an important position at a critical moment after the right of his battalion had been driven back. He also displayed the greatest disregard of personal safety during a hostile counter-attack by running up and down a trench some 400 yards in length and rallying his men under very heavy shell and rifle fire. The following day he performed a similar act, largely compensating for the absence of any other officers in what was a very critical situation. Link to Gazette is Here Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 15 January , 2008 Share Posted 15 January , 2008 His MC citation, London Gazette #30188, dated 18th July 1917... Temp. 2nd Lt. James George Grant Fleming, Gord. Highrs. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took command of his company and showed great coolness and ability under most trying conditions. He set a splendid example under fire to his men. Link to the Gazette is Here Hope this helps. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Posted 15 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 15 January , 2008 Steve, Many thanks for your lightning fast reaponse regarding the DSO! What took you about two minutes has taken me two years of on-and-off research. Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Posted 15 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 15 January , 2008 Steve, Ditto for the MC citation. I'll now follow up with some research into the specific actions where these awards were won. I'm hoping someone can explain the "Balkans" reference on his MIC. Thanks again, Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 15 January , 2008 Share Posted 15 January , 2008 Black There are a number of entries relating to his commission and various promotions in the London Gazette, do you want them as well? May take me a bit longer than the two minutes though Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 15 January , 2008 Share Posted 15 January , 2008 I'm hoping someone can explain the "Balkans" reference on his MIC. Balkans (2b) = Gallipoli (Dardanelles). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Posted 15 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 15 January , 2008 Steve, You are obviously a wizard at this. Promotion info links would be great, but only when you have the time. Re Balkans/Gallipoli - I suspected as much. This is the first time I have researched a UK soldier's records with that annotation. With that piece of info, plus his two citations I suspect he saw a lot of action. Perhaps the "Emblems" on his MIC refers to a Mention at Gallipoli? Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 16 January , 2008 Share Posted 16 January , 2008 Black Found these promotions/appointments in various Gazettes, haven't found his promotion from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant though. LG#29392 (6th December 1915) Page 12177 Link The Gordon Highlanders. The undermentioned to be temporary Second Lieutenants: — Dated 3rd December, 1915. Philip Mansell Alexander. James Angus. John Roderick Cattanach. Sydney Orr Goodall. Leslie Ritchie Graham Jenkins. John Merrilees. James Fairweather Milne. John Merrylees Robertson. Archibald Blyth Terris. Robert Atkin. James Eadie Brown. Walter Collinson. Henry Burness Cook. Alastair Ian Dow. William Duguid. James George Grant Fleming. Cuthbert Gemmill. Arthur Creswell Lawson. James Lyall. LG#30625 (12th April 1918) Page 4417 Link Temp. Lt. J. G. G. Fleming, D.S.O., M.C., Gord. Highrs., is transfd. to Gen. List for service with Ind. Army (on prob.). 13th Feb. 1918. LG#31131 (17th January 1919) Page 914 Link The KING has approved the admission of the following Officers to the I.A. on probation : — To be Lieuts. Lieut. James George Grant Fleming, D.S.O., M.C., Gordon Highrs. 25th Mar. 1918, but to rank from 3rd Sept. 1917. LG#31738 (16th January 1920) Page 796 Link Gord.Highrs. Temp. Lt. J. G. G. Fleming, D.S.O., M.C., is seconded on appt. as probr., Ind. Army. 13 Feb. 1918, with seniority 1 July 1917. (Substituted for Gaz. notification 12 Apr. 1918 under Memoranda.) LG#32114 (5th November 1920) Page 10756 Link The appointment of the following officers, who have been admitted to the Indian Army on probation, is confirmed from the dates specified: — John Arthur Clarke. 29th July 1918. Percy Charles Watson, M.C. 22nd Jan. 1919. Julian William Glenie. 8th Feb. 1919. Archibald Mervyn Dore. 25th Mar. 1919. James George Grant Fleming, D.S.O., M.C. 25th Mar. 1919. LG#32761 (27th October 1922) Page 7542 Link The KING has approved the retirement of the following officers under the provisions of the Royal Warrant, dated 25th Apr. 1922, with effect from the dates specified: — INDIAN ARMY. Captains— 20th October 1922. J. G. G. Fleming, D.S.O., M.C., C. J. Oldridge de la Hey, F. L. Brooks. LG#32874 (26th October 1923) Page 7213 Link REGULAR ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS. GENERAL LIST. Infantry.—The undermentioned Capts., late Ind. Army, to be Capts. : — J. G. G. Fleming, D.S.O., M.C., 14th Sept. 1923, with seniority 29th July 1921. LG#32905 (8th February 1924) Page 1166 Link Gordons.—Capt. J. G. G. Fleming, D.S.O., M.C., from Res. of Off.,. Gen. List, to be Capt., with seniority 29th July 1921. Hope this helps. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 16 January , 2008 Share Posted 16 January , 2008 Mentions in Despatches are more difficult to extract from the London Gazette but judging from the NA website he had at least two 'Mentions' Medal card of Fleming, J G G Corps: Gordon Highlanders Rank: Temporary Second Lieutenant 1914-1920 WO 372/24 Medal card of Fleming, J G G Corps: Gordon Highlanders Rank: Temporary Second Lieutenant 1914-1920 WO 372/24 Link to the two cards is Here, downloading these two cards should give you the London Gazette dates where they are listed. Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Posted 16 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 16 January , 2008 Many thanks again for all of that promotion info. I must have been looking in the wrong parts of the Gazette when I started this search about 2 yrs ago; but also I suspect the access has improved considerablty as more records become available on line. I will get hold of those MIC separately to see where they were awarded. Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALANJONES Posted 16 January , 2008 Share Posted 16 January , 2008 Going back to the word 'Emblem' on the MIC, does it indicate an MID? Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 16 January , 2008 Share Posted 16 January , 2008 Going back to the word 'Emblem' on the MIC, does it indicate an MID? In a word, 'Yes'. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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