Forfeited Medal Royal Artillery

[merrymoo]

Hi,
Please can you help with my enquiry.
I have found a J. Ring (who I believe is James Ring b 1841 in Burnham, Buckinghamshire) 778 Gunner Royal Artillery who was awarded a medal for the Bhortan (Bhotan I think) Campaign but in the remarks column it says "Forfeited" what does this mean please. In later years he is an Army Pensioner.

thanks

[mmm45]

http://www.constantius.co.uk/index.php?id=1305

Think it may have been this medal....Forfeited medals usually mean that the soldier either deserted or comitted some crime and was found guilty so his entitlement to medals was withdrawn.

Indian General Service Medal 1854-95

Ady

[merrymoo]

Thanks Ady,

my worst fears are confirmed, now all I need to do is find out why. Thanks for the link.

[merrymoo]

Hi Ady,

Please can you tell me, was the 55th part of the Royal Artillery? I am afraid I am ignorant of Military matters.

thanks

Diane

[km1971]

Hi Diane

The 55th in Ady's link refers to an infantry regiment. The RA comprised batteries, brigades and battalions - depending on the type of artillery and the period in question. His unit should be given on the medal roll.

Medals could also be forfeited because he was not in (say) the right area. The authority for the issuing of a medal would have mentioned where someone had to be in order to qualify. He may have been elsewhere.

As he became an army pensioner his record should be on Findmypast.

Ken

[merrymoo]

Thanks Ken,

I have now found his record on FindyMyPast and thankfully he did not desert. He held 3 good conduct medals and held the China Medal with clasps for Taku Forts and Pekin (need to look at these) although he was in the Regimental Defaulters book 8 times. Perhaps this was why he forfeited his Bhotan medal.

Thanks both for your help, much appreciated.

Diane

[apwright]

You say the man who forfeited his medal was 778 Gunner, yet James Ring of Burnham was 404 Driver according to the record on FindMyPast.
Two different men, I'd say!

Adrian

[merrymoo]

Oh, thanks, very naughty  , didn't notice that.

That makes things easier I think.

Will look some more

Diane 

 

[mmm45]

Also the China Medal with the clasps you describe was issued in 01 for the Boxer Rebellion events

Ady