Interpretation of medal card

[P J Neylon (nee Collins)]

One of the very helpful members of roots chat has located my grandfather's WW1 medal card but I'm finding it quite difficult to understand. Does anyone have any ideas where I can find any info on how to interpret what the various entries mean?

[Little Nell]

The National Archives has some useful information on this page:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp?WT.hp=Campaign%20Medals%20-%20£2

Scroll down to see the explanation.

Nell

[P J Neylon (nee Collins)]

Thank you 

[jds1949]

It's also worth giving this page a visit:

http://www.1914-1918.net/grandad/medals.htm

jds1949

[P J Neylon (nee Collins)]

This is really good, thanks so much
As well as having his army number I've now determined that he was awarded
British medal
Victory medal
1915 star
I knew he was a Colour Sergeant but the card shows he was Acting Warrant officer Class 2, any idea what these ranks mean?
He was regular army ....serving before and after the was. Do I need  details from the MOD to obtain further info?

[jds1949]

If your man served into the 1920s then his records should still be with the MOD - see here:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html

Warrant Officers were officers but they were not commissioned - so in effect they existed between the NCOs and the commissioned officers. the rank was usually awarded to men with long service or valuable skills.

jds1949

[P J Neylon (nee Collins)]

  Thank you 

[DeeBoneham]

He was a very high ranked senior non commissioned officer (or SNCO).  In those days to be a Warrant Officer was as near to god as you could get.  Only the Warrant Officer I was higher.They were more feared than the commissioned Officers and get more respect than the junior ones.  He was acting in that he was not fully promoted to that rank at that point and was temporarily given the rank and its benefits and responsibilities.  He could have been acting paid or unpaid though most tended to be Acting paid. 

Does it say on his card what Regiment he was with?  That will give you some research to take further.  Good luck with that.

Dee