Hi,
Levi was a professional soldier joining up at 18 years old 12 Aug 1902 serving mostly at home but in 1903 he served in South Africa for 3 years (after the Boer War) and also serving in France (1st Battalion) from 21 Aug 1914-7 Dec 1914 then posted to Home before being discharged 11 Aug 1915. He was discharged after 13 years due to completed length of service. His papers state he was a very good soldier in receipt of two good conduct badges and receiving an exemplary character-clean, honest & sober man.
In 1912 at Tidworth a report stated he was injured while roller skating around the Barracks where he fell sustaining a sprained ankle resulting in hospital treatment. The report concluded by a panel it was by accident and not intentional so no further action was taken
The Army God Bless em'
You are correct in thinking his brother Ephraim was also serving with the DCLI because on Levis papers it stated the reason he wanted to join the Regiment in 1902 was to serve with his brother. This would explain why a Black Country lad would want to join a Regiment from Cornwall but why his elder brother joined in the first place who knows ?
His medal index card states he was awarded the British & Victory medals but not the rarer 1914 star and ooking at the criteria for the 1914 star it looks like he would have just missed the criteria sering overseas after 5th Aug 1914 :
The 1914 Star (colloquially known as the Mons Star) was a British Empire campaign medal for service in World War I. The 1914 Star was approved in 1917, for issue to officers and men of British forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight 22/23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres. The majority of recipients were officers and men of the pre-war British army, specifically the British Expeditionary Force (the Old Contemptibles), who landed in France soon after the outbreak of the War and who took part in the Retreat from Mons (hence the nickname 'Mons Star'). 365,622 were awarded in total.[1] Recipients of this medal also received the British War Medal and Victory Medal. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
A very similar medal, the 1914-15 Star, was also issued, but no person could receive both awards.
He would have also just missed out on the 1914-15 Star award returning to England prior 31 December 1915.
The 1914-15 Star was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The 1914-15 Star was approved in 1918, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of the War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 (other than those who had already qualified for the 1914 Star).
The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Battalions of the Regular Army
1st BattalionAugust 1914 : in Ireland (at the Curragh). Part of 14th Brigade in 5th Division. Landed at Le Havre 15 August 1914.
14th Brigade in 5th DivisionThe Battle of Mons
23-24 August 1914
'Our first battle is a heavy, unheard of heavy, defeat, and against the English - the English we had laughed at. (Walter Bloem, Reserve Captain, 12th Brandenburg Grenadier Regiment, in his autobiographical work 'Vormarsch')'
Elements of the British Expeditionary Force which took part in this engagement:
Cavalry Division
5th Cavalry Brigade
I Corps (Haig): 1st and 2nd Divisions
II Corps: (Smith-Dorrien): 3rd and
5th Divisions19th Infantry Brigade
The 5th Division was involved in most of the early major battles of 1914 and I would assume Levi was part of all these engagements and one of the famous 'Old Comtemptables'.
I really could go on forever but I suggest you google on the internet and you'll find lots and lots of general information on the DCLI. Interestingly Harry Patch the last Tommy served with the same Regiment but not until later on in the war 1916 or 1917.
Any questions you have just post them we'll try to help because this is a very interesting topic.
I'll have a look into Levis's older brother and see what I can find out about him.
Regards
Adrian