Pvt. Henry Hodges's medal or medals

[Private Henry Hodges]

Hi, does anyone know why he apparently returned his medal or medals, and what might have happened to to make him want to return them or it? was it just that Silver War Badge (our thanks to Jon & Sue for their help so far), which would have been a nice thing to have by itself, or did he recieve any others as well? any information appreciated.

-Alistair Hodges

[Coldstreamer]

perhaps he just didnt want a reminder of the war

[old-ted]

Alistair,

remember that a certain S Sassoon threw his M C medal ribbon into the Mersey as he had become disallusioned with course & events of the war. Perhaps your Private Henry Hodges had done or seen things that he did not wish to be reminded of, or perhaps felt that the land fit for Hero's was not what he expected it to be and wanted to make a personal protest. I for one hope that you can find out what motivated him to return his medal(s).

Regards

John

[MelPack]

Alistair

I think that you may be creating a mystery out of nothing.

The Kings Regulations (1912) para 1743 indicates that the medals were undeliverable via the registered post. The regulation further stipulates that " Medals which , at the end of 10 years, still remained unclaimed, will be sent to the India Office (If granted for India Service), or to the deputy director of ordnance stores, Royal Dockyard (Medal Branch), Woolwich (if granted for other services) to be broken up. A.O. 402 1913

Your 'mystery' is, therefore likely to be nothing more than a change of address on the part of your great grandfather with no forwarding details provided. He failed to claim them within the requisite ten year period and the medals were subsequently broken up.

Para 1743 on his MIC is likely to apply only to his Victory and BWM medals given that these were sent out from about 1921/22 onwards.

The above explanation seems all the more likely also because he had to actively apply for his SWB (they were not granted automatically).

Regards

Mel