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Pte J Laird 204542 6th Seaforth Highlanders MM.


Stevend

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This soldier was awarded the MM  late 1918  as in the Gazette for 1919.

 

What i was looking for was roughly where he may have won it  i know the 6th were involved later in the advance for Picardey  excuse if I got the spelling wrong.

 

Any information about the soldier is appreciated 

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The War Diary of 51 Highland Division Adjutant and Quarter-Master General names Honours and Rewards in Routine Orders but it seems that some may be missing.

Routine Order 20/08/1918 names MMs from the Morayshire Bn (6 Bn) of the Seaforths who were awarded their medals for action between 20 and 30/07/1918. They are in the London Gazette 31061 dated 10/12/1918.

Routine Order 17/09/1918 names MMs from the Moray Bn for action between 27 and 29/08/1918. They are in the London Gazette 31173 dated 07/02/1919.

I can not find any Routine Orders in October naming men from the Moray Bn. The next one is Routine Order 10/11/1918 for action between 12 and 26/10/1918 and they are in the London Gazette 31469 dated 22/07/1919.

Your man is in a June 1919 LG so it is a possible that he was named in a (missing) October Routine Order for action in September.

You can check the WD of the Corps A&QMG or perhaps local papers.

Brian

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His Military Medal were in an auction 3 years ago

London Gazette awarded 13th June 1919

He was also in the 8 Battalion

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Just having a look at the war diary for any surviving award pages or mentions 

I found a couple of pages for awards and mention in 1918 but no mention of  J Laird 204542

The diary only went upto 11 \4\1919

 

Edited by johnmelling1979
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Thanks john

 

He seems to have been missed somewhere during the recording of the awards

Il look at where they were in late 1918

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John was reported in the War Office Daily List 5530, on the 3rd April 1918 as being 'Wounded'. I know this is almost certainly too early to be related to the action for which he was awarded the Military Medal but if he has been missed off the list then it maybe worth considering particularly if he had a lengthy convalescence period. 

Edited by Gunner 87
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Only one other 6 Bn MM in the same LG (31405) as J Laird.

S/26954 Sjt Alexander R (Lossiemouth)     Robert Alexander has no service papers and I could not see a report in the September/October 1918 local papers.

Most of the other Seaforths are 7 Bn.

Brian

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The medal roll tells us he was 8th bn before 6th bn. The transfer could have happened after that early 1918 wounding?

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The LG of 17 June 1919 listed 'Advance to Victory' awards for Sept/Oct 1918: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31405/page/7684

There are some 5th Bn. SH MMs in the same list. One other to a 6th Bn. man: S26594 Robert Alexander - schedule no. 224684.

John Laird's MM schedule no. was 224685 - MM card image - The National Archives' reference WO 372/23/131068

image.png.c929816fd0fd78477bade67a5b5b996d.png

Edited by Ivor Anderson
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There is no mention of either Alexander or Laird on the British Medal Forum site.

Summary of 6th Seaforth WW1 service: https://wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/battalion.php?pid=939

There are some 5th Bn. MMs in the same gazette list. They were in the 51st Division with the 6th Bn.    240035 McEwan & 23380 Scott.

The 51st Division A&QMG war diary may have an awards list with them in it: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14055775

But, I see Brian has already checked it and not found the men from this gazette. Perhaps there is 152nd Infantry Brigade war diary?

Failing that, some of the many 7th Bn. MMs in that LG may lead to details of how they were won?

Though the 7th Bn. were in the 9th Division & the 6th Bn. were in the 51st (Highland) Division.

Edited by Ivor Anderson
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Ivor

I did check the 152 IB diary and the Div HQ papers with no luck.

I have just downloaded the 1918-19 WDs of 22 Corps A&QMG but there ia a gap in the Routine Orders between September 1918 and January 1919. They may be filed elsewhere in the WD.

Glasgow papers might be the best bet. I will try the Scotsman.

Brian

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Hi Brian 

Thanks for your help its appreciated 

Hopefully find out nore im looking at old newspapers of the time but feel its very difficult 

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