Ralph

It appears to be like the one linked below https://nzmuseums.co.nz/collections/8426/objects/1034297/military-cap-badge

An immediate award for Meritorious Services in East Africa. Award announced in the London Gazettedated 3. June 1919. A total of 66 awards made to the K.A.R. of which 60 were for Meritorious Service in East Africa.

There is a set of two books " For Distinguished Conduct in the Field" -a register of the DCM 1920-1992 - compiled by Phillip McDermott and published by John Hayward. It is an alphabetical listing of all DCM recipients with citations ( when extant). There is no summary of Regiments, Theatre, award dates etc though.

JSP 761, Vers4.0 dated December 2014 standardised the naming convention of U.K. medals to Rank, Intitials, Surname, (post nominals if any) then either RN, RM, Regiment, RAF then Service Number. so it would appear that any medals awarded after 2014 would have the number last.

Information on the Forces War record site shows that he was reported in the War Office Casualty list dated 23 June 1916 as having been captured at Kut

Frederick James Challen was awarded the B.E.M. Lg 1.1.1948, as Foreman, North West Railway, Lahore.

His recommendation can be dowloaded from this site ( though a charge is payable for it) https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7403143

The basic format for LG ISM. Entries is surname, christian name(s). E.g. Smith, Donald James i normally find that if an attempt on the full names fails reduce one; if they are relatively unusual christian names just use those. restrict the period of search to the obverse of the medal e.g gv star 1910-1921' gv rpound 1921-1937 etc.

His London Gazette entry is here 29 july 1919 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31478/page/9568

The Gv Star shaped medal was awarded till 1920;after that it became circular so the period to check runs from around 1909 to 1921 - a relatively short time. The award in 1917 would normally indicate a birth year of around 1857 - normal retirement being at 60 and the medal was awarded then.

The only award of an ISM to that name for the relevant period of issue is Charles Stafford, Postman. Link to the LG entry https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30012/page/3403

HI Gordon, Restricted the search to "Murray" which worked as there was a relatively small date span. I think that the reason "Thomas Murray" did not show was that there appears to be a mark over the "s" of Thomas which might have confused the search engine!! Ralph

Very Nice award - see link below https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39979/supplement/5307

Thanks for the replies - I am afraid apart from a name, possible date of discharge and date of death I have nothing else. He served as a civilian with the British Army (starting in 1945) and was awarded a Honorary B.E.M. in 1979 - just wondering what his German Service/awards might have been - and was hoping for a link to a Seniority/Gradation book similar to that found for the British Army to try and narrow himn down - but having looked at the various sites, none of which appear to have an name index I think I would have a snowball's chance in hell of finding anything.....

Is there any possibility of obtaining any service history for a German Officer (Hauptmann) who served in WW2. Do the German Authorities have a scheme similar to the U.K. Freedom of Information Act? Is there anything equivalent to the U.K. Army Lists for the German Heer ? Any info gratefully received.

Hi Ricardo, Unfortunately the option of a "Freedom of Information" request does not appear possibile as you need a death certificate proving death 25 years or more ago.... I can offer following: Appears to have joined as a boy in 1924 at Hilsea (RAOC Depot). Started" Mans" service 23,3,1929 Passed exam for promotion to L/Corporal 2/9/1935 Appointed L/Cpl withiut pay 30/7/1936 L/Cpl with pay 1/4/1938 Temp. Sgt 1/4/39 (Appointed Permanent L/Sgt 14/6.1939) Temp Staff Sgt Oct 1940 Promoted Staff Sgt 26.12.40 Was employed in the Stores Section of the RAOC as a Clerk I. Held first Class Certificate of Education

According to my records of RAOC LSGC awards Gates was awarded the LS Medal in 1943

Perhaps a bit late but the award to Alfred Edward Eddolls linked below http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34844/pages/2710 The award to George Frederick Wallis linked below http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36506/supplements/2133

Thomas Norman Wakefield was awarded the LS Medal 16 November 1961

Unfortunately British awards to foreign recipients were NOT published in the London Gazette. It could be that the U.K.Central Chancery of Orders may hold details such as presentation date /dispatch date if sent. Ralph

Soldiers Docs (WO97 series) covering service upto 1913 are available on Findmypast,com so a check their might be worthwhile. Unfortunately you may need to buy some "credits" or perhaps they have a free introductory period - worth a look.

360 is his number, RMLI = Royal Marine Light Infantry His service record appears to be available from the The National Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=8077116&queryType=1&resultcount=1

The award of the Imperial Service Order to Alfred Charles Waters listed in the LOndon Gazette 25.06. 1909 - see link below http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28263/supplements/4858

Unfortunately the files pertaining to the NY Honours awards for 1946 (9.1.46) do not appear to be extant in the WO373 series (British Army Awards) or the AIR2 series (RAF Files relating to the BEM/GM/GC awards committee containing the discussion papers on those awards to all 3 services). The 1946 file (AIR2/9289) just states "owing to the shortage of time and the large number of recommendations the Committee have adopted the unusual procedure of agreeing the ommissions from the New Years List with the departments concerned, rather than circulating the citations for general criticism." It is mentioned that proposed were Admiralty 275 of which 260 were approved War Office 750 of which 693 were approved Air MInistry 545 of which 530 were approved. I have yet to find any Army recommendations for the BEM for NY (or Birthday) Honours awarded in 1946

Traced Medal indicates the award of the LSGC - it required 15 years service and war service for regulars did not count for double time. The 1953 Coronation Medal was only awarded to selected individuals (unlike the Golden Jubilee Medal which was awarded to ALL uniformed subjects who had served 5 years and were serving on the relevant date) so only a relatively few Service men received the 1953 award.