WW1 Hornchurch - Leslie Arthur POWELL

[alison300]

Would love some help with the attached MIC.  I'm researching a local war memorial (Hornchurch) and one of the men mentioned is Leslie Arthur POWELL.  When he died he was serving with the Royal Naval Air Service.  When I searched Ancestry I found an MIC - I understand the basics but not all the shorthand notes.  Can anyone translate for me please? 

Also any idea why it says Leslie Archibald along the top?

[MaxD]

MC - Military Cross
First served in 2nd Dragoon Guards r(Queen's Bays) rank Private
Sub Lt in the RNAS
Left side(blue ink over the word remarks)
1914/1915 Star is on the army R&F (rank and file) medal roll
went to France 23 May 1915 (hence the Star medal)
The red notes against the Victory and British War medal are first indicating these are the responsibility of the Navy.
Below is a set of notes showing his 1914/15 Star was issued in 1925 (officers or next of kin had to claim medals), returned for some amendment and re-issued in 1926.
The note on the top is saying that Leslie Archibald Powell is not identical.
MaxD

[alison300]

Thanks MaxD for the translation; so the Army were responsible for issuing the 14/15 Star and the Navy the other two medals.  Very interesting - thank you.

[MaxD]

Missed a bit - commissioned into RNAS 21 Feb 1916.

Despite the card, he is listed on the 2nd Dragoon Gds British War and Victory medal list with the note that they would be issued by the Navy, he appears on the RN list.

His rank was Flight Sub Lieutenant, early RNAS rank title.

Looking more closely at the card and digging a bit more, the first issue was to the Leslie Archibald Powell who was an RNAS Petty Officer, then Flt Lt RAF then Gloucester Regiment (his card says!) soldier who had the same medal entitlement.  His card also has a note on the top saying (effectively) this is not Leslie Arthur!!

So despite the fact that officers had (normally ) to claim medals, Leslie Arthur's were issued by the army with a diversion to the wrong man and the Navy, Leslie Archibald's by the Navy and the RAF.

They both have MC on their cards - I am checking, that could also be a mix up!

MaxD

[MaxD]

Stop press.

Leslie Archibald had an MC and Bar, I don't find Leslie Arthur with an MC - another mix up?  Can't get on the National Archives just now, too much traffic for freebies I expect.  I'll try tomorrow.



MaxD

[alison300]

Thanks again Max.  I can't find anything for Leslie Arthur with MC either so am assuming its an error.  Leslie was an only child - so sad