Medal Question

[AndrewBelsey]

I have a Victory Medal, given to me by a soldier's daughter. I know nothing about the soldier. The inscription on it is '2. LIEUT R. NICHOL'

-no number or regiment??? He was also awarded a Silver Wound Badge no. 'B45055' I am not aware if he recieved a War Medal? Is there any way I can discover which regiment he served with?

[Stebie9173]

An officers medal wouldn''t show a number or regiment. Assuming the MICs are correct and complete there is only one choice for a Second Lieutenant:

Medal card of Nichol, Robert

Corps Regiment No Rank

Northumberland Fusiliers 19/1294 Warrant Officer Class 2

York and Lancaster Regiment Second Lieutenant

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=16

There were three other Robert Nichols who were Lieutenants, but assuming that the medal is correct the above is the only one that fits.

POSSIBLE Officers File at the NA:

WO 374/50490 NICHOL, 2 Lieut R 1914-1918;1925

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

The London Gazette seems to back up the likelihood of a Silver War Badge being claimed:

LG 5-12-1918

York & Lanc. R.

Temp. 2nd Lt. R. Nichol relinquishes his .commission on account of ill-health caused by wounds, and is granted the hon. rank of 2nd Lt. 6 Dec. 1918.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...act=R.%20Nichol

Steve.

[AndrewBelsey]

Steve,

Thank you so much! I thought I needed a number to look up on the medal rolls. I've had the medal for 30 years wondering what regiment he was in and now you've told me!

Andy

[daggers]

Officers could have their own medals inscribed with their name etc.

Daggers

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

Officers could have their own medals inscribed with their name etc.

???

Gallantry awards such as the MC or DSO certainly,as the accompanying form suggested as much,@ their own expense;but their Campaign Awards were issued ranked & named & in the case of Stars{& RFC/RAF} Regiment included.

Whilst it may be a truth that some officers added [or removed;eg:lower ranks etc] details {as did ORs} it was not common practice.

[Pete L]

According to the September 1918 Army List he is serving in the 8th (Service) Battalion. His commission was effective 26 Sept 1917. The 1925 date is interesting. I haven't seen this format before. Does it mean the last entry in the file was in 1925?

I would recommend visiting Kew, or using a researcher to look up the file found by Steve. If it is him there could be some interesting information present. My GF file contained two copies of his full service history, and even details of his schooling - all part of his application for a commission from the ranks

Pete

[Stebie9173]

The first set of dates covers the bulk of the correspondence. The latter date occurs when something is added to the file at a much later date. Sometimes it is the date of death, sometimes a query into service for employment purposes, sometimes a pension enquiry.

Steve.