Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Posted April 10, 2012 We have recently had a number of questions and posts concerning the Mons Star in WW1. This group - which recently came-in will give an opportunity to discuss some of the points that lead to this period being singled out. Major K.D.H. Boggie is typical of his generation. He was born in 1894 and became a career soldier. He married in Feb. 1914 - obviously seeing the signs of WW1 on the horizon. He was 20 at that time. His wedding certificate is with his papers and he is shown as a corporal with the Royal Field Artillery. We did not have a big regular army in 1914 and almost immediately war was declared with Germany , the bulk was sent to Belgium and to France to defend against any German advances. Holland was neutral and many British troops were interned when, fleeing German attacks they took safety in neutral territory. This happened to over 1500 men of the Volunteer Royal Naval Reserve. We advanced into Belgium until we encountered the German lines at Mons. This was a serious battle period with many casualties on both sides. If our troops came within range of German light artillery then it was decreed that they had been under fire and were entitled to the special Bar - this is sewn onto the ribbon of the Star and gives the dates August 5 th. to 22 nd. November 1914. They also had a silver Rosette that was sewn onto the Ribbon of the Star for a ribbon bar - worn when medals were not worn. The other distinction is that the Star bears only the date "1914" - later ones have 1914-15. During the war he is shown as a Sergeant. Initially with the Royal Field Artillery - for his War and Victory this becomes R.A. (Royal Artillery.) Our Army became known as the 'Old Comtemptibles' - thought to have been how the Kaiser had described them. There are no records of the Kaiser saying this and it is thought by many historians today, that it was the British at Army HQ who coined the phrase to get public sympathy. True or not - the title was carried by all , with great pride. The Germans forced our retreat from Mons and our troops pulled back. We tried to defend Antwerp - but failed and eventually our Forces took positions outside of Ypres - still in Belgium. We took a heavy battering - with many casualties - but held the line. The Germans retreated and we built-up our Forces. The Menin Gate at Ypres commemorates the fighting and the number of shown casualties is staggering. Right up to the present a trumpeter sounds the Last Post every morning. Amongst the excellent paperwork with this Group is his Warrant from the King appointing him a Warrant Officer 2nd. Class on June 28th. 1928. This is a rare document andf I will give a brief explanation of the differences between a commissioned officer and a warrant officer. Basically you have to go back in time six or, seven hundred years ago. With a specific battle in mind the King would Commission an an aide or, titled landowner to organise and fight the battle. He in turn would appoint deputies who would also be commissioned by the King. So, you were not an officer if you were not a gentleman. This still left the problem of the lower ranks who actually fought the battles - commanded the men - and in the case of ships , sailed them and commanded the crew. These 'officers' were given a Warrant by the King to carry out the duties they were appointed for. We still have these differences in the British Police. Every officer is a Warrant officer by virtue of his duties - however, there is an internal Rank structure which creates sergeants or, Officers of Police. Amongst the papers are a number of photos - one shows in a hand tinted photo a picture of him with an officer - he is still a Sgt. so it must pre-date 1928. Then there are others - between 1933 and 1936 that seem to show him with the Queen's Royal Regiment. Perhaps he changed for a while - I won't know until his papers are drawn. There is a picture showing him a Lieutenant - probably just pre war - and he seems to have spent the war in India. He has corres. as a Captain and was promoted to Major. There are interesting letters and flimsies showing his efforts to have his son sent to the UK to join the RAF. I haven't shown these but if anyone is interested let me know. The simple fact is that there are lots of badges and artefacts in existance - but it is difficult to get 98 year old documents. You will have realised that only the 1st WW trio and the 1937 Coronation Medal are present. His WW2 medals are missing - probably in the hands of some great-aunt - who should give them back at once......
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 This is the framed medal group. I will show close-ups to help those who have an interest. CLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 ENLARGEMENT OF GROUP FRONT - 1937 CORONATION ON RIGHT http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-34461100-1334073901.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 REVERSE OF GROUP. NOTICE HOW THE NAMING ON THE STAR SHOWS OUT. THIS IS GOOD FOR PHOTOGRAPHY - JUST PUT A SMEAR OF CHALK DUST AND WIPE OFF. THE LETTERING STANDS OUT. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-77766200-1334074184.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 BOGGIE IS ON LEFT IN HAND COLOURED PICTURE http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-22789600-1334074452.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 IN INDIA - PROBABLY THE ROYAL ARTILLERY CAMP - ALTHOUGH I CAN'T SEE ANY GUNS http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-40786500-1334074714.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-41432200-1334074972.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 FRONT PAGE OF THE WARRANT http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-00396300-1334075144.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-85025800-1334075306.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 COPY OF HIS ANNUAL REPORT http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-12676200-1334075465.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 HIS WEDDING CERTIFICATE http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-30626100-1334075668.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-24054100-1334075849.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
Mervyn Mitton Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 MAJOR BOGGIE WAS APPARANTLY BROUGHT UP IN INDIA IN AN ORPHANAGE. THIS CERTIFICATE SHOWS THE PLACE AS AN ASYLUM - THIS JUST MEANT A PLACE OF SAFETY IN THE WORDING OF THE TIME. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-36691800-1334076248.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE
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