S/Sgt Arthur Porter RASC OBE

[Spikey68]

Two of the names (I only checked two to confirm) on the same LG page are listed as BEM recipients (Arthur is also listed on the wiki page):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Necrothesp/List_of_recipients_of_the_British_Empire_Medal,_1917%E2%80%931920

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31750/supplement/966/data.pdf

Otherwise the wording would be slightly different:

The KING has been graciously pleased to  give orders for the following appointments to
the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services in connection with the War....

To be Commanders of the said Most Excellent Order (i.e. CBE)

To be Officers of the said Most Excellent Order (i.e. OBE)

or

To be Members of the said Most Excellent Order (i.e. MBE)

[Jebber]

I don't undersand why Spikey68 made that comment either, I agree that Arthur's records clearly state OBE not the BEM.

Jebber

[Spikey68]

Records can be wrong. The LG clearly points towards the award of the BEM, not OBE. Plus it is very unusual for non officers to be awarded an OBE at that time.

[Flattybasher9]

Looking at the date of the award, this could have been a "Birthday Honour".

Regards

Malky

[sw1]

There are 2 original postcards in Arthur's record, obtained from Ancestry. One is when his OBE Medal was sent to him by post on 23 Mar 1920. The second card is the receipt which Arthur has signed on 25 Mar 1920, two days later, acknowledging receipt - both originals.

As per my first post, the recommendation for the award was first made in June 1919 for "valuable services during the war."

Surely if Arthur had been awarded the British Empire Medal, it would have said..here is your BEM medal...not OBE as it clearly did.

Arthur's records show he was proficient as a clerk and in shorthand, unusual perhaps? I don't know. He also worked with Horse Transport after the war ended.

I acknowledge that the link you sent from Wikipedia states it was the BEM, but I'm not sure Wikipedia is a site I would ever state as an acknowledged source. I may be wrong; this record may be wrong too!

It is most unusual not to be able to find his award easily in the London Gazette. I understand it is even more unusual for it to be sent through the post? But...what do I know.

My query seems to have disturbed a few of you with different views. Now, please don't fall out, guys. I just asked a simple question!!!
Suzie

[alanmack]

Many awards after the two World Wars were never 'gazetted', usually where public announcement of the award might jeopardise National Security in a future situation. This is altogether an unusual case and might possibly be such a scenario - a clever 22 yr old staff sergeant who was deemed unfit, working in London. It all smacks of cipher clerk to me at the very least. The "Horse Transport" thing may have been cover.

[sw1]

Well, a chum of mine thought so too - maybe a minute-taker at top level secret war meetings etc? I have put some feelers out in case it was reported in a local paper - a long shot. Otherwise perhaps it means a long trawl of the NA website.

Thanks for your input.
Suzie

[Jebber]

Looking at Arthur's records on Findmypast, where some of them are clearer, I now concur with Spikey that he was awarded The British Empire Medal and not an O.B.E. Looking at the paper which accompanied the award, it says "The accompanying OBE Medal" inferring it was an Order of the British Empire Medal, had it been the O.B.E. which translates Officer of the British Empire, it would not have the added word medal, as an O.B.E is not a medal. This would also explain why the medal was posted to him rather than at a presentation. The BEM recipients do not  normally receive the medal at an Investiture.

It would appear that whatever work he was involved at the War Office was the reason for the award. If that was the case, there is even less chance of you finding any more details about it.

[sw1]

Well, that's marvellous. Well done, Spikey for mentioning that in the first place and to Jebber for looking at FindMyPast records and confirming things. That seems correct from what you both say but...even less chance of finding out more. Well, never mind, I have discovered more from you and everyone else on here than I would have done otherwise so thanks to all you experts!

Kind regards to all
Suzie