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Author Topic: medal cards help  (Read 3194 times)

Offline wdermot

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medal cards help
« on: Monday 16 March 09 23:32 GMT (UK) »
hi,
i've recently found the medal index card for two of my grandparents and I'm having trouble making out a reference on each of them.

the first one I just can't understand which regiment they mean he was in and the second I have no idea what the reference is as i can't find a mention of it on any of the websites which explain these cards.

Thanks very much

Dermot
walsh , boyle, inglis, finlay, geddes, lawson, mcgeechan, mcgee, gilliland .  69th foot, Scots Guards, Inniskilling Fusiliers , Mesenberg POW.  Co meath, glasgow, donegal; fermoy Co. cork,

Offline scrimnet

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Re: medal cards help
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 17 March 09 00:04 GMT (UK) »
His Regts are

Highland Light Infantry
Labour Corps
and
Kings Own Scottish Borderers...

He was transferred around a bit...Not uncommon...Was he injured at any time?

The transfer to the Labour Corps could mean that he was medically downgraded for a time and unfit for front line duties, but fit enough for general duties

He qualified for his medals with the HLI...

As for the other one, we would have to see all that is on the card to make some sense I'm afraid! ;) ;D
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.

Offline km1971

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Re: medal cards help
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 17 March 09 00:16 GMT (UK) »
Hi Dermot

On the top one the cross (there is usually four dots in each quadrant of the cross) should match with one set of medals. This is used when he was in more than one regiment (or sometimes battalion), or he was renumbered in the same regiment, to show what rank, regiment, number was impressed on his medals.

The second one shows that at one time he was in Section B of the Army Reserve. This shows he was a pre-WW1 Regular. Regulars enlisted for12 years, and after a set period (of 3 or 6 or 7 years depending upon when he enlisted), and if he chose not to complete all 12 years in uniform, he could transfer to the Army Reserve to complete his service.

In the AR he would receive 3s 6d a week and be expected to do a 14 day annual 'camp' to keep his musketry and drill up to scratch. He would only be recalled if there was a general mobilization, which only happened in December 1899 (during the Boer War) and at the start of WW1.

What some people find hard to grasp is that, even during WW1, once a man had completed his '12', he could request a discharge. Of course after conscription was brought in 1916, he may be conscripted in the future. And lots re-enlisted either straight away or after a few months rest.

Ken

Offline scrimnet

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Re: medal cards help
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 17 March 09 00:21 GMT (UK) »
I was hoping for his number for confirmation of that Ken!!
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.

Offline wdermot

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Re: medal cards help
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 17 March 09 00:26 GMT (UK) »
that was very fast...

The family story is that he was gassed in the trenchs and couldn't work after the war from the injury, so that fits in nicely with the change of regiments.
as for the second one, i had no idea he was a pre ww1 regular, thats amazing, he was a prisoner of war for a number of years so we had though it related to that. Here's the full card in case that sheds any more light on things, thanks again for all your help.

Dermot
walsh , boyle, inglis, finlay, geddes, lawson, mcgeechan, mcgee, gilliland .  69th foot, Scots Guards, Inniskilling Fusiliers , Mesenberg POW.  Co meath, glasgow, donegal; fermoy Co. cork,

Offline scrimnet

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Re: medal cards help
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 17 March 09 00:31 GMT (UK) »
Scots Guards...and the date of entry into France fits....And a pre war number to boot...

Did you know Dermot that the Guards kept there own service records and they were not damaged by the Jerries in 1940??

Well worth a letter to the Guards museum!!! ;D
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.

Offline scrimnet

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Re: medal cards help
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 17 March 09 00:33 GMT (UK) »
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.

Offline wdermot

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Re: medal cards help
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 17 March 09 00:36 GMT (UK) »
Thats a stroke of luck, i've been having a hard time looking for service records so that sounds very promising, Thanks to both of you for your help.
walsh , boyle, inglis, finlay, geddes, lawson, mcgeechan, mcgee, gilliland .  69th foot, Scots Guards, Inniskilling Fusiliers , Mesenberg POW.  Co meath, glasgow, donegal; fermoy Co. cork,

Offline scrimnet

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Re: medal cards help
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 17 March 09 00:48 GMT (UK) »
He appears to have joined the Regt in France some time after they landed....

Possibly he was doing something else that detained him in Blighty...
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.
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