medaille militaire

[sswarby]

mentioned in the London Gazette 8 Feb 1919 was my Grandfather: K/12282 Serjt-Mech George Henry Lade (Polegate).  My mother has the medal and a small citation in french regarding the presentation of the medaille militaire.

Au Nom du President de la Republique, Le Grand Chancelier de l'Ordre National de la L'egion d'honneur a delivre le present Brevet a M.Serjt.Mechanic Air Service  George Henry Lade de la Marine Brittanique, K/12282, Decorre de la Medaille Militaire par decret du 22nd Decembre 1918

Can anyone translate the citation and perhaps tell me why he got it? Alsohow do I find out more?

[neil1821]

Well he was Royal Naval Air Service so to found out more, I'd start by downloading his service record for the cost of £3.50 from here:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7141282&queryType=1&resultcount=9

Neil

[sswarby]

ok downloaded his service record and can't make out some of the handwriting, can ayone help?

[scrimnet]

Ok here's some of it...

Enlisted 07 Aug 1911 for 12 year engagement
at Warburton in Somerset
Previously a labourer

Age ??
Height 5' 9 3/4"
Hair Brown
Eyes Grey
Complexion Fresh

Served on (at) (under auspices of)
Victory (Stoker)
Renown (stoker)
Victory  (stoker)
Topaze (stoker)
Minerva (stoker)
Victory (stoker)
Pembroke (air mechanic)
President (leading mechanic)
Daedalus (Petty officer mechanic)
President (ditto)

He then seems to transfer to the fledgling RAF

18 feb 1913, detailed for service with the Royal Flying Corps at Farnborough

Air service from 15 Aug 1913
01 Aug 1916 rated Petty Officer (mech) Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS)

For most of his service, his character and ability was rated as "superior" and "very good"

Hope that helps a bit...

I used to be married to a GP, and I also write my "F"'s in that fashion ergo a bit easier for me to read!!

[sswarby]

That really helps thanks.

In the London Gazette he is stated as K/12282 Srjt-Mech.George Henry Lade (Polegate).

In the service record President 11 has (polegate) next to it between the period AUG 1916 and Dec 1917

Can this be explained?

[scrimnet]

I expect so...salty is the matelot guru on here and may well be able to help!!

If he doesn't find this thread, try and PM him!!!

A Sergeant holds the equivalent rank of petty officer in thee Navy...

What is the Polegate bit in his name?? Did he change it?? Was he at HMS President when he did it???

[neil1821]

I think I can help answer that.

HMS President II (roman 2 rather than 11) was a Royal Naval Air Station at Polegate in Sussex

Similarly HMS Daedalus was a Royal Naval Air Station at Lee-on-Solent

HMS Victory means Portsmouth (Victory is the base ship)
HMS Pembroke is Chatham
The others I don't know of the top of my head.

[sswarby]

ahh that seems to make sense...... still have no idea what he did to get the medal

[scrimnet]

mentioned in the London Gazette 8 Feb 1919 was my Grandfather: K/12282 Serjt-Mech George Henry Lade (Polegate).  My mother has the medal and a small citation in french regarding the presentation of the medaille militaire.

Au Nom du President de la Republique, Le Grand Chancelier de l'Ordre National de la L'egion d'honneur a delivre le present Brevet a M.Serjt.Mechanic Air Service  George Henry Lade de la Marine Brittanique, K/12282, Decorre de la Medaille Militaire par decret du 22nd Decembre 1918

Can anyone translate the citation and perhaps tell me why he got it? Alsohow do I find out more?

In the name of the president of the republic, the grand (knight) chancellor of the national order of the legion of honour gives this present patent (obvious) to George Henry Lade of the British Navy the decoration of the Military Medal by decree of 22 Dec 1918