Unrecorded VC holder.

[SmallTownGirl]

It was 1907 and he was said to be 18yrs 9mths old ... b. Hastow, Sittingbourne, Kent.

STG

[grandarog]

He ws actually 18 when he enlisted Baptised at Iwade Kent 3 Feb 1889 . All the brothers were big lads .Humping guns about in the RGA could certainly have bulked him up a couple of inches.Only one of that name on army records.so am pretty sure same chap. Just beginning to wonder if it was all a bit of Bulls**t at the time to wind up the reporter. I wonder if in fact he was nominated but was never actually awarded.

[SmallTownGirl]

In the "wounded" and "effects of wounds" sections on another page, there is absolutely nothing written.

Jus' sayin'

STG

[Flattybasher9]

It's strange, the Liverpool Daily Post carried the story, Dec 31st 1914, The Kent Advertiser carried the story circa early 1915, The Daily Colonist in Victoria, B.C. Canada carried it on the 4th July 1915, so it did the rounds.
Did anyone actually check?

Regards

Malky

[ShaunJ]

His service papers say, under "medals decorations and annuities" that he got the "1914 Star & Clasp " and the "BW & V Medal".

[grandarog]

Thanks again for all your inputs. Flattybasher9,Were the reports in the other newspapers just taken from the Liverpool one or actually original . As you pointed out,  did anyone actually check the facts at the time.I am know beginning to wonder even more if it was all a gungho propaganda exercise. Our 3 known local VC,s are well recorded and remembered in the area .It seems very strange, there seems to be nothing about Stewart anywhere, other than a brief note in the local paper at the time ,which was taken from the Liverpool article by the way is written.They were a well known local family as they were so large .His mother bore 21 children.
Unfortunately I cant access trench records for the time or any RGA archives  or find any citation in the London Gazette that,s why I am hoping some of you far more experienced researchers on here can sort out the mystery. Roger.

[crisane]

What does the detail on the medal card i.e. "clasp and Roses" refer to? Could that be some detail about the VC and its ribbon and clasp etc.?

The Long Long trail says this
" Clasp to the 1914 Star
A bar clasp inscribed "5 Aug. to 22 Nov. 1914" was given to all those who qualified for the 1914 Star and who served under fire. Since the same ribbon is used with the 1914-15 Star, holders of the 1914 Star were permitted to wear a small silver rosette on their ribbon when the decoration itself is not worn. On the medal index cards this is usually noted as the "Clasp and Roses" or "C&R" .It was necessary to apply for the issue of the clasp. "

I did try looking for a War Diary for the Royal Garrison Artillery on The National Archives site but I came up blank. You have to try different search terms.

On the medal and Award Roll it only gives the application for the Clasp and Roses.
He has the whole page to himself and it is headed 8th Divisional Ammunition Column RGA
Reference to the Clasp and Roses gives a date 14 April1921 =  so the date he applied for the C and R? This one comes up using his first initial and surname.
There is a separate entry on the Medal and Award Roll for the Victory and British medals but nothing there you don't already know. This one comes up using his first full name and surname

[grandarog]

If and a big if He was actually awarded the VC he certainly deserved it if the press report is true.
He certainly achieved a lot in the 52 days recorded spent in France between 5/11/1914 and 27/12/1914. According to his story ,during that time he was wounded and stayed at his post for 16 days which resulted in the VC. He was then Casevaced to Harwich Uk and again returned to France (according to press report) Later shot in the foot and again Casevaced to Uk where he gave the interview to the Liverpool Daily Post in Alderhay Hospital ,which was published on 31/12 1914.
There is nothing on his service record to support this except that he was in France for the 52 days. No mention of any wounds or actions etc.
The fact it is recorded in his records he had trouble with the big toe on his left foot later in the war and had the toe nail removed and there are remarks that the foot was still stiff ,give some credence that he may well have been shot years earlier as alleged. Any one else found anything to corraborate the story as truth yet please. It looks like we may have a nasty skeleton in the family cupboard here!
 Thanks for all your help Roger.

[Flattybasher9]

"Flattybasher9,Were the reports in the other newspapers just taken from the Liverpool one or actually original"

They seemingly were. The Canadian one is worth a read. It goes into the detail that he was shot 7 times.
"had been wounded •seven times- In the right side, but only one of the wounds was serious.
• Thaf is how Gunner Fagg won the V.C, and won It grandly"
I also note that the papers spell his forename "Stuart".

On the link, scroll down to "16"
Headder :- THE DAILY COLONIST, VI CTORIA, B.C., SUXDAV, JULY 4. 1915. .»
It's about two thirds down the page. It's worth a read.

https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist57y177uvic/dailycolonist57y177uvic_djvu.txt

Was this just morale boosting propoganda, allowed by the powers that be ??
I am beginning to think that perhaps, it was.

Regards

Malky