Understanding more about James JOHNS Royal Dublin Fusiliers 17601

[myluck!]

Can someone please help decipher this information from a medal card?

    Medal                           Roll                     Page                 Remarks
                    Restr. X   B/101B16               1212 (overwritten on top row)
     Victory                      B/101B6                   453                Deserted 2/4/16
     British                        do                              do                BW & V Med issued by RAF anity X
15 Star                            B/6b                        175
                     Restn ø B/10B8                          446                name amended anity ø AS/B/1306
Theatre of War first served in 2B Balkans
Date of entry therein 15/5/15

On the reverse it states
B104-117 d/1.12.24 ?? (15 star)
and a name and address that mean nothing to me at the moment

James was born c1881 in Dublin to Benjamin JOHNS of Cornwall and Anne RILEY of Dublin
He was one of seven children born all over the world as Benjamin was in the British Army

Any help would be great

[km1971]

It appears that he lost his entitlement to his first medal the 1914-15 Star due to desertion. This was overturned and the medal issued in Dec 1924. The reference before the date is an internal reference probably relating to a list of medals sent out that day. The date he 'entered theatre' of 15 May 1915, and therefore qualified for the 1914-15 Star, corresponds to the 1st Battalion of the RDF. Historically overseas service included time at sea - in the 19th Century they reduced the pay when at sea or overseas as the regiment provided the food. They would have gone aboard the evening before sailing - http://www.1914-1918.net/dubs.htm

There also appears to be confusion over his name. So the medal was returned for renaming. This probably meant that an S was added turning John into Johns, as there make be a '.' before the 's'.

The RAF is a mystery. maybe he transferred to the RAF after the war. If so his service record may be with the MOD. I could not find it Ancestry.

btw....for anity read auty, ie authority

[myluck!]

Thank you very much for this comprehensive answer

I have not been able to find out much about this man after the 1911 census until now
By chance I found reference to him in prison in 1916 in Dublin
His sister is given as his next of kin and as her address is shown I am sure it is correct
It gave his army details and number which allowed me find the medal card

I found the RAF reference intriguing myself - what is the best way of trying to find out more about him?
I am aware of the loss of paperwork
Thanks in advance

[mmm45]

http://www.britishmedals.us/files/r18.html

This is the 1918 RAF nominal theres a couple of J Johns on there.
RAF records are held at Kew and not online yet

Ady

[myluck!]

Ady
To what do the numbers and dates refer along side the names please?

Do you know if how a RAF connection would be made if he was in the RDF?

[mmm45]

The numbers are his RAF service number the dates are when he enlisted into either RFC/RNAS/RAF  as they all amalgamated in April 1918 to form RAF.

Lads could transfer to RAF from other services You would have to get in touch with Kew I think to find out if its your man...have never traced an RAF record so maybe others are better placed to offer RAF advice

Ady

[myluck!]

I didn't realise that army could transfer to RAF like that but I suppose in 1918 it was the early days of the RAF - I'll have to polish up some of my history to continue with this one - Thanks again

[johnbhoy]

My Great Uncle was James McGinley 17608 of the 1st Batt RDF, so I guess he must have known your James Johns. James was KIA on 4/6/1915 at Galipolli, and the RDF took some heavy losses, so no wonder your James Johns thought it would be wiser to transfer to the RFC/RAF. You mentioned he was in prison in Dublin in 1916....maybe due to the Easter Rising, just a thought.

[Tyrannosaurus]

The Irish Times (1874-1920) [Dublin, Ireland] 25 July 1915
DARDANELLES.
WOUNDED.
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.
Johns, 17601, Pte. J.

The Irish Times (1874-1920) [Dublin, Ireland] 20 July 1915
DARDANELLES.
WOUNDED.
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.
M'Ginley, 17608, Pte. J.

The Irish Times (1874-1920) [Dublin, Ireland] 07 Oct 1915
DARDANELLES.
Previously Reported Wounded, Now Reported Wounded and Missing.
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Batt.
McGinley, 17608, Pte. J.

Rex