Genealogy Forum UK

looking for info on thomas he is surpose to have won the military medal found his medal index card on ancestry no mention of the MM could there be a second medal index card ? and anyone find any more detailed info on him please. cheers Pete

The MM recipients were also listed in the London Gazette and I can find no record of him.

P.S. There are three medal cards for THomas Reavley on ancestry...

Hi Peter,

It was usual for the Military Medal award not to be included on the Medal Index Card but I've known of one example when a seperate card was issued for someone who was awarded the MM. The card with his MM details was however included with his general Medal Index Card and looking on the ancestry site there's no mention of any award and the MIC records are 99% complete. Mark mentioned that he found no mention of the MM listed in the London Gazette and all those awarded the MM were listed there.

Looking at his MIC we know he served with the Durham Light Infantry but of course it rarely gives the Battallion details however I'm confident I can tell you his Battalion from the information included without checking his medal roll index. He went to Egypt 22nd Dec 1915 and the only DLI Battalion to be sent there was the 18th (Service) Battalion (1st County)

18th (Service) Battalion (1st County)
This and other battalions often known by the name of the Durham Pals.
Formed at Cocken Hall in County of Durham on 10 September 1914 by Col. R.Burdon and a committee. Moved in December to Fencehouses, then back to Cocken Hall in February 1915 and to Fencehouses again in March.
May 1915 : moved to Cramlington then Ripon, attached to 93rd Brigade in 31st Division. Went to Fovant in September.
6 December 1915 : sailed from Liverpool for Egypt, arriving Port Said on 21 December. Went on to France, arriving 11 March 1916.

His Battalion stay in Egypt was brief before being shipped to France and taking part in the following engagements:

1916
The Battle of Albert* including the attack on Serre
The Battle of the Ancre*
* the battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916

1917
Operations on the Ancre
The Third Battle of the Scarpe**
The Capture of Oppy Wood**
** the battles marked ** are phases of the Arras Offensive 1917

1918
The Battle of St Quentin^
The Battle of Bapaume^
The First Battle of Arras^
^ the battles marked ^ are phases of the First Battles of the Somme 1918
The Battle of Estaires^^
The Battle of Hazebrouck^^
The Defence of Nieppe Forest^^
The attack at La Becque^^
^^ the battles marked ^^ are phases of the Battles of the Lys
The capture of Vieux Berquin+
+ the battles marked + are phases of the Advance in Flanders
The Battle of Ypres++
The action of Tieghem++
++ the battles marked ++ are phases of the Final Advance in Flanders

This was interesting and was he part of these two companies:
On 16 December 1914, two Companies of the 18th (Service) Bn (1st County), the Durham Light Infantry became the first troops of the New Armies to come under enemy fire, when they were manning the trenches of the Tyne and Tees defences which were shelled by the German ships Derfflinger, Von Der Tann and Blucher.

I can't be 100 sure about his Battalion without checking the Medal roll index but I'm confident about the above information.

His MIC indicates that he was trans' to Z which means he was demobbed after the war to be recalled if required (this was never actioned).

The only other possible avenue to check is the local papers who would publish information on soldiers deaths, injuries and medal awards.

Where did you get the information from Peter about his award and any idea where or what action he received the award.

Hope this helps.
Adrian

got the info from one of his relative will tell him to pop down to the dli musem to see if they have anything on him poss spining a yarn ?

so what medal did he recieve?

Hi,

He received the 15 Star, British and Victory medals.

Regards
Adrian