Hugh Pattenden Posted 21 November , 2004 Share Posted 21 November , 2004 Hi, Does anyone know how many officers were put in for decoration but were denied it because they had died in the action or of wounds resulting later? Does anyone have any good examples? Many thanks, Hugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Pattenden Posted 24 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 24 November , 2004 Just bringing it up the list... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 24 November , 2004 Share Posted 24 November , 2004 Hugh the problem with Awards that were disallowed due to death is probably that there is no record,unless in the Battalion War Diary that they had been gallant or they were MiD instead,which apart from the VC was the only "Allowable" Phostumous award,@ that time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcderms Posted 25 November , 2004 Share Posted 25 November , 2004 There's another thread on this worth looking up... Harry is right in that only the VC and a MiD could be awarded posthumously however this doesn't apply to other awards if the recipient was subsequently KIA or DOW. A soldier who lived long enough for Haig to sign the award approval would get his medal, if subsequently killed or even dying of wounds sustained in the action then the award would go to his next of kin is my understanding. Given that awards were not often gazetted or awarded for months after they had been 'won', there are numerous cases of men not living to pick up a gong. Try cross referencing a few Gazettes with the CWGC site to see what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_59 Posted 25 November , 2004 Share Posted 25 November , 2004 Why were they the only ones that could be awarded posthumoustly? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Pattenden Posted 25 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 25 November , 2004 Thanks all. Here is the Military Cross citation as written for one Second Lieutenant D. N. C. Ross of the R.F.A. 'On the morning of the 30th Nov. [1917] D. Battery 46th Brigade R.F.A. was heavily shelled and a large dump of charges was set on fire. Seeing this Lieut Ross left cover and under severe shell fire extinguished the flames. He then collected his men and led them to cover, shortly after which another one of the ammunition dumps was blown up and Lieut Ross was wounded. This young officer who has only been about three and a half months in France has during that time continually displayed great courage. The example set by his cheerfulness and coolness under fire has very materially added to the efficiency of his Battery.’ Second Lieutenant Ross died that day and as such was not eligable for the MC having died in the action in which he would have won it: his OC makes it clear that his death made it impossible for the award to be awarded. To quote from a letter to his parents: '. If he had lived I think he would have got a Military Cross. I enclose the recommendation that I put in as I think you would perhaps like to have it, though I fear it is but poor consolation to you in your great loss, in which you have my sincerest sympathy. ' It seems somewhat unfair doesn't it? Hugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 25 November , 2004 Share Posted 25 November , 2004 It Was Unfair,in as much as by WW2 All Decorations & Medals For Gallantry could be awarded Phostumously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Pattenden Posted 25 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 25 November , 2004 I thought it only changed in the 1970s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 25 November , 2004 Share Posted 25 November , 2004 Why were they the only ones that could be awarded posthumoustly? Dave That was just the Ruling @ the time,in effect you couldn't reward Dead Heroes,awards were for the Living,By WW2 The rules had changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Pattenden Posted 26 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 26 November , 2004 Thanks all, Hugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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