L Sgt Martin F Morrissey Irish Guards

[stav01]

Hi I am trying to find out anything about this soldier. Service number 10354 . I believe from Kilkenny Ireland and he was awarded the MM with Bar. Really interested to find out what they were awarded for and when. Thanks.

[SalmonBlue]

Hi Stav01,

Unsure about the MM but have found this below if its of any use

First Name:   M
Surname:   Morrisey
Age:   28
Index Number of Admission:   7602
Rank:   Private
Service Number:   10354
Years Service:   1 year
Months With Field Force:   1 week
Ailment:   Synovitis knee left
Date of Admission for Original Ailment:   08/06/1917
Date Discharged Back to Duty:   17/06/1917
Notes written in the Observations Column:   Convalescent Depot.
Religion:   Roman Catholic
Notes written by FWR when Transcribing:   Army Form B117 Report on Wounds of Injuries Received Otherwise than in Action 12/06/1917. T.N.C.
Regiment:   Irish Guards
Battalion:   1st Battalion
Archive Reference:   MH106/978 MH106/978 can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War Representative Medical Records of No. 2 General Hospital: 29/05/1917 to 27/06/1917 British Other Ranks. No. 2 General Hospital at LE HAVRE. Ser: 7424-8149 Tr: 1246-1291.

Darren

[SalmonBlue]

Hi stav01,

Still unsure at the moment about the MM but have found this if of any use......

First Name: M F
Surname:   Morrissey
Age:   28
Index Number of Admission:   28660
Rank:   Private
Service Number:   10354
Years Service:   1 year
Months With Field Force:   3 months
Ailment:   Gun shot wound, left ear and cheek
Date of Admission for Original Ailment:   15/11/1916
Date Transferred to Sick Convoy:   15/11/1916
Notes written in the Observations Column:   No.10 Ambulance Train.
Religion:   Roman Catholic
Notes written by FWR when Transcribing:   Completed years of service and Completed months with field force both recorded in the same column in the source.
Regiment:   Irish Guards
Battalion:   1st Battalion
Other unit info:   4, Guards Division
Archive Reference:   MH106/715 MH106/715 can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War Representative Medical Records of Servicemen from No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station

Darren

[SalmonBlue]

No joy on the actual reason for the MM ...........
First Name:   M F
Surname:   Morrissey
Resided Town:   Clifden
Rank:   Corporal
Rank (2nd):   Lance Sergeant
Service Number:   10354
Gallantry Awards: Military Medal

This Level 3 Gallantry Medal was established during the First World War on the 25th March 1916 and introduced in the London Gazette issue 29535, (back dated to 1914) to personnel of the British Army and other services, and personnel of Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank. It was the other ranks' equivalent to the Military Cross (M.C.), (which was awarded to Commissioned Officers and, rarely, to Warrant Officers, who could also be awarded the M.M.).

The military decoration was awarded to M F Morrissey for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Conferment of the medal was announced in the London Gazette and M F Morrissey earned the right to add the letters M.M. to his name.
Gazette Info:   Gazette issue 31338. Military Medal; Awarded for bravery in the Field.
Gazette Date:   13/05/1919
Gazette Page:   6020
Service:   British Army
Regiment:   Irish Guards
Battalion:   1ST BATTALION

Darren

[SalmonBlue]

Still not sure of his actual acts of bravery but he was also awarded a bar for his MM.

First Name:   M F
Surname:   Morrissey
Resided Town:   Glifden
Information:   M.M. gazetted 14th May, 1919.
Rank:   Corporal
Rank (2nd):   Lance Sergeant
Service Number:   10354
Gallantry Awards:Military Medal
This Level 3 Gallantry Medal was established during the First World War on the 25th March 1916 and introduced in the London Gazette issue 29535, (back dated to 1914) to personnel of the British Army and other services, and personnel of Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank. It was the other ranks' equivalent to the Military Cross (M.C.), (which was awarded to Commissioned Officers and, rarely, to Warrant Officers, who could also be awarded the M.M.).

The military decoration was awarded to M F Morrissey for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Conferment of the medal was announced in the London Gazette and M F Morrissey earned the right to add the letters M.M. to his name.
 
AND BAR
Gazette Info:   Gazette issue 31469. Bar to Military Medal; His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Bar to the Military Medal.
Gazette Date:   22/07/1919
Gazette Page:   9348
Service:   British Army
Regiment:   Irish Guards
Battalion:   1ST BATTALION

A brave man indeed.
 
Darren

[stav01]

Thanks very much for this information. It's fantastic. I now need to check the Irish Guards books to see where he was wounded in November 1916. You have been extreamly helpful .

[IMBER]

His records will be held by the Irish Guards:

http://www.theguardsmuseum.com/Family-Research

Imber

[jim1]

This is where they were & what they were doing from the 13th. - 15th. Nov. 1916.
Prior to this the Batt. had come down from Belgium to the Albert sector & first saw action at Ginchy & Bernafay Wood taking 334 casualties.
Your man was lucky considering this was the Somme.
Just to add to SalmonBlue's excellent information 1/IG transferred from the 4th. to the 1st. Guards Bde. Guards Div. Aug. 1915.

[stav01]

Thanks very much for this excellent information.