Military medal and bar - how to find out why awarded?

[vapcq45]

Can anyone tell me if there is a source I can go to look up how an ancestor might have won his Military Medal and Bar?

Sadly his Service papers don't appear to have survived and his medal roll cards don't say.

Thank you.

[AllanUK]

The citations for the award of the Military Medal no longer exist. If you would like to post the name and service number of the soldier in question I will see if anything can be found from other resources.

[Blairvadach]

Hi
You could try this link……

https://www.greatwarforum.org/

[vapcq45]

Thank you both.

He is James Patrick Bryant, enlisted on the 27th June 1906 into the Royal Munster Fusiliers.    Army No. 8386.  He served in the 1st Battalion at Gallipoli in April 1915, then in the 6th Battalion (don't know where) and then the 2nd Battalion which we believe was in France.  He received the Military Medal and then Bar.  It would be so good to know how.  The family have assumed it was at Gallipoli on the beaches and then France.  But I think these are only guesses.

Anything you can add would be wonderful, thank you.

[ALAMO2008]

He was Discharged 8 February 1919 with Silver War Badge as Wounded aged 30
It is most Likely therefore his MM and Wound was as a Result in 1918 in France
His London Gazette entry only shows No.62
A Date of Publication might throw more light on the action he earned it.

[GR2]

The only thing I can see is a mention in the Weekly Casualty List for 26-11-1918.

In the list of those reported as wounded, under the sub-heading Royal Munster Fusiliers, is:

Bryant 8386 Act. L.-Cpl. J. (Cork)

[AllanUK]

Having searched available records for James Bryant, service number 8386, in addition to his Silver War Badge entry and his medal card, I have found the following:

Admissions and Discharge Register - 2nd General Hospital based at Le Havre

2nd Btn Royal Munster Fusiliers; 8386; L/Cpl Bryant, J; 29 years old; 14 years Army Service; 12 months in the Field; Admitted 5/10/1918; Gun Shot Wound Left Buttock; Discharged 7/10/1918

Return of Operations Performed - 2nd General Hospital

2nd Btn Royal Munster Fusiliers; 8386; L/Cpl Bryant, J; GSW Left Buttock; Foreign Body Removed; Surgeon - Lt. Gutherie; 6/10/1918; To UK 7/10/1918; Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle

I have searched the London Gazette for the announcement of his Military Medal / Bar and I can only find one announcement which was in the London Gazette dated 13/05/1919. He was one of many hundreds that were awarded the MM, unfortunately no reason is given. His entry (along with many more for soldiers in the Royal Munster Fusiliers) is on Page 6043 and reads 8386 Pte. Bryant, J 2nd Btn (Cork)

The page (number 6011) which starts to list the recipients of the MM starts with please see attached snippet image

I can find no record of him receiving the MM and Bar -- have you anything that says different?

I have also searched Irish and British newspapers but have drawn a blank.

[mmm45]

According to Williamsons book
That Gazette carries awards from 29 Aug to 1st week in Oct 1918 around Ypres ops so if you had the war diary you maybe able to reduce it even further

Ady

[vapcq45]

As usual I am overwhelmed with your generosity of time and effort to help.  Thank you.

The only record I can find (other than the family having his medals) is the attached MM card.  Which has just basic info but also some official number references I don't understand.

I've seen the copy of the Gazette mention and that is great to have and mmm45's post looks like the way forward, getting a copy of the War Diary (I would presume for the 2nd Bn) from 29 Aug to early Oct 1918.

Also the return of operations found by AllanUK (got a copy now) possibly narrows down the timeframe even more, if his wound...1st week in Oct 1918....was related to earning his MM. Possibility!

I will hunt now for the War diary for 2nd Bn....someone may have it, or will go to the NA.

Huge thanks to everyone!