Belgian Croix De Guerre

[Guest Desmond6]

This is all I have on this Sapper. Can anyone cast a little more light on the subject. Is it likely that this was a high profile award? My apologies ... I am pretty much in the dark when it comes to medals etc.

Any help appreciated - Des

The following decoration by his Majesty, the King of the Belgians, was announced recently in the ‘London Gazette’:-

"Croix De Guerre to 64527 Sapper John Watt, Royal Engineers, Ballymena."

He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Watt, Kinhilt Street, Ballymena. Spr. Watt enlisted shortly after the outbreak of hostilities and went to the front with the Ulster Division. He has seen much fighting and was awarded last year with a beautiful parchment certificate for gallantry and devotion to duty. Prior to enlisting in the army he was in the employ of Messrs. W. C Wolseley Ltd. Cullybackey Road.

Ballymena Observer, April 19, 1918.

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

This award would have been made,either a a result of his Gallantry or Good Service with his Unit & him being recommended for an Award,it being felt that he was worthy of an Inter~Alia* Foreign Decoration,The Croix de Guerre {Belge/Belgique},in this instance,by his own Commanders or just possibly it was awarded for some act of Gallantry/Service in connection with a Belgian Unit,The former is the most likely scenario{*Inter~Alia Awards:~ Foreign Awards were made available to reward Worthy Acts,as UK Awards were available to other Allied Troops,The Twain never having to meet to be so Decorated}The Fact you have a reference to a Gallantry Certificate would Suggest that he was awarded the CdeG as a "Bonus" for the same act,or continued Bravery,not quite of the Required Standard for an MM or DCM.NB: He is one of some number recorded in the Appendix of The History of the 36th Ulster Division being so Decorated

[Desmond7]

Harry - many thanks once again. Explanation great.

Des

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

Des 6 or 7,

The London Gazette for this is:~

L.G.#30631,Published 12th April 1918{Dated 15/04/1918};Page 4542."Belgian Croix de Guerre",included in the list is: "64529 Sapper John Watt Royal Engineers"{Ballymena}

The Preamble states to the effect:The Following Decorations & Medals are awarded by the Allied Powers for Gallant Conduct & Service @ Various times throughout the Campaign{If Awarded for a specific act in relation to a particular Allied Force they usually state:"Conferred by the King Of the Belgians/President of France".........Etc;}

Cheers Roger{HBMCDCM}

PS:The date of the Certificate of Gallant Conduct is probably nearer the date of his Gallant Action,it may have even had a Date of the Act of Gallantry on it; they usually do.