Meritorius Service medal

[Aboreal Addict]

Hi,  My grandfather  Herbert Frederick Bond was awarded  this medal. He was in the Royal Flying Corps and later the RAF as a sergent and later flight sargent  He was mentioned  in the London Gazette on 3rd June 1919. He served in France and I understand he received his medal for service on the ground.

Is there anywhere that I can find outmore about  how he got his medal?

Thanks.

[km1971]

If you go back to Page 1 it says the entry is for "valuable and distinguished services rendered in
connection with the operations at Archangel".

The MSM was originally a gallantry medal, and it reverted to that during WW1. However before and after WW1 it was a kind of super Long Service Good Conduct medal with/without a gratuity depending upon the amount of money available.

My GF was awarded his when he was in his 70s. So can you see an entry that says MSM?. If so please post the link to the LG entry.

Ken

[Aboreal Addict]

Thanks for your reply.  He only enlisted in 1916 so he did not serve for very long.

Sorry what is the LG  entry?

[km1971]

LG = London Gazette

Ken

[km1971]

I have managed to find his entry in the Edinburgh Gazette of 5th June 1919 - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/13458/page/2052

And it confirms it was awarded the MSM for service in France. However I cannot find a WW1 medal card for him either on Ancestry or the National Archives website. If correct it suggests he only went to France after the Armistice.

If he served after 1920 his record will still be with the MOD. It would also be worth looking in his local newspaper around the time of the award. MSMs during WW1 were issued for gallantry not in the face of the enemy. He is not listed in the army MSM roll. It may be worth while asking on the British Medal Forum for help from someone with a copy of the WW1 MSM roll for the RAF.

Ken

[Aboreal Addict]

Hi Ken,  Thanks  for another reply. Thanks also for the link, I hadn't found that one.

He attested in Jan 1916 for the RFC  previously he was in the army.  I have a photo of him in France in 1917.
I have his service record  he transferred to the RAF reserve in March 1919.

I will take your advice and search the local paper.
Thanks.