Soldier Number 23/21767 any records!?

[hunkyhywel]

I'm looking for more information on a particular soldier. His service and/or movement. Here's what I know:

Name: Arthur Higham
Birth: Oct 1886, Lancashire
Death: 1967, Lancashire
Service: Manchester Regiment, 23rd (Service) Battalion
Soldier No.: 23/21767

1914-1918.net has been really handy.
Are there any medal records for him? There is a family rumour of a Military Cross medal but unverified.

Thanks in advance!
Hywel

[gortonboy]

his service record does not mention any award of an MC,,,but only officers could recieve it.

[gortonboy]

looks like he left the Manchester regiment in 1915 to take up a commision. This does tie in with the story of a Military Cross,,,as only officers could recieve the MC.

[gortonboy]

he was a Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant when he took up a commision,,,i wonder if this could be his medal card index,,,,its the only officer medal card i can find.


First name(s)   Arthur
Last name   Higham
Service number   -
Rank   Lieutenant and Quarter Master
Corps   Royal Fusiliers
Service record   Rank: Lieutenant and Quarter Master, Corps: Royal Fusiliers
Archive reference   WO372/9

[gortonboy]

see the Gazette..right hand page,,the undermentioned to be temporary second lieutenants.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29403/supplement/12536/data.pdf

[mmm45]

Warrant Officers and Sgt Majors could also be decorated with MC from 1915.

Ady

[hunkyhywel]

Thanks very much guys, this really helps!

Is there any way I could see an image of his service record?

What does it mean that he left the Manchesters to take up a commission?

Would there be a Medal Card available for him?

What was the Royal Fusiliers Corps and how does this relate to the Manchester Regt?

Thanks again,
Hywel

[mmm45]

Theres also 2623 A Higham of Manchesters who was discharged in 1918.Silver War Badge Rolls.

Also try

 manchesters.org


The Royal Fusiliers chap was awarded Mention In Dispatches 22/5/17....cannot see a medal index card on ancestry...maybe one on National archives.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_fn=a&_ln=higham&_no=&_crp=royal+fusiliers&_ttl=&_cr1=WO+372&_dt=M&_col=200&_hb=tna&image1.x=41&image1.y=13&image1=GO

He has two cards....

When you were commissioned Officer generally you moved to a new regiment (not always)

Royal Fusiliers was a different Infantry Regiment.....The QM rank and honorary rank was generally given to officers commissioned from the ranks....If he has a surviving record it will be at National Archives Kew.

Ady

[hunkyhywel]

Thanks Ady,

So are you thinking that he was promoted in 1915 from the Manchesters and moved to the Royal Fusiliers? I've been reading up on the 23rd (service) Bttn of the Manchesters through WWI, how do I know if he ever moved to a different Bttn/Reg?

Hywel