18 MMs Awarded to the 18th Highland Light Infantry, listed in the LG 13 March 1919 - for The Battle of Amiens

[Ivor Anderson]

18 MMs Awarded to the 18th Highland Light Infantry, listed in the LG 13 March 1919 - for The Battle of Amiens (Aug-Sept 1918)

The 18 MMs listed in the LG on 13 March 1919 are listed 'in order of merit' in the battalion war diary at the end of September 1918 - Source TNA:

They obviously expected some to be declined at Corps level, but they were all approved. A sign of the battalion's contribution to that action.

LG: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31227/page/3434

Edited 14 June by Ivor Anderson

[FlersChampagne]

Hi Ivor, thanks. for whatever reason Balnaves and Frew didn't receive the MM. Samuel Orr is very special. Went on to receive an Empire Gallantry Medal exchanged to a George Cross.

Regards

Chris 

[Ivor Anderson]

12 hours ago, FlersChampagne said:

for whatever reason Balnaves and Frew didn't receive the MM

Thanks Chris. I miscounted the LG list. I'm only beginning to compare the names in the WD with the LG and the MM index cards:  

The schedule numbers are not following the WD 'order of merit' list.  All awarded under ref 68/121/772  (242 & 244 missing?)

(no MM card on TNA?)  CSM James McQuillan 4804 (also DCM & Bar, 17 Sept 1917 & 3 Sept 1918)

214241 Sgt. Samuel Orr 7937

214243 Pte. Clarence William Holmes 41497

214245 Cpl. Andrew McIndoe 15015

214246 L/Cpl. John Hamilton 43544 (prev 350527)

214247 L/Cpl George Ross 55394

214248 Pte. Charles Henderson 4333

214249 Pte. Duncan McMinn 32160

214250 Pte. James Muir 30053           

214251 Pte. James McMullan 350475

214252 Pte. George Adamson Petrie 31608

214253 L/Cpl. Andrew Adair 5509

214254 Pte. James Flannigan 55314

214255 L/Cpl. Samuel Davies 202616

 

214274 L/Cpl. William Prentice 43464 (listed as 12th Bn in LG)

214275 Sgt. Thomas Gibson 4483

Edited 16 June by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

Unlike most of the others, Samuel Davies was from Lincolnshire (Scunthorpe). He had initially enlisted with the Lincolnshire Regt. (medal Roll - Ancestry):

Born 23 July 1898, married 1920, died 20 May 1954 aged 55. Buried Scunthorpe.

[Ivor Anderson]

On 15/06/2024 at 22:31, FlersChampagne said:

for whatever reason Balnaves and Frew didn't receive the MM.

 It must be because of the no. of awards being reduced at Corps level. The war diary has them at the bottom of the recommended 'order of merit' list.

I wonder if they knew they had been recommended?

[charlie962]

On 15/06/2024 at 23:31, FlersChampagne said:

Hi Ivor, thanks. for whatever reason Balnaves and Frew didn't receive the MM. Samuel Orr is very special. Went on to receive an Empire Gallantry Medal exchanged to a George Cross.

Regards

Chris 

Was Sgt Balnaves awarded a CdeG as consolation?

Dundee Courier 20/12/18 courtesy Findmypast 

[Ivor Anderson]

58 minutes ago, charlie962 said:

Was Sgt Balnaves awarded a CdeG as consolation?

   Great find. Thanks Charlie. His C de G was gazetted June 1919:  https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/13466/page/2249 

 

War diary 2 Nov 1918 - his C de G may be included? TNA:

Don't see Balnaves French C de G mentioned in the war diary, but: 11 Jan 1919:

Edited 18 June by Ivor Anderson
Additional Info

[charlie962]

Samuel Orr is exceptional. (Edit..I realise now I'm repeating Flers Champagne!)

Post war he joined the Ulster Constabulary and in 1924 was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal which in 1941 was exchanged for the George Cross.

Here's an obit courtesy Findmypast newspapers 5/4/1958 Londonderry Sentinel.

 

He has a surviving service record on Findmypast,  a prewar Special Reservist mobilised at the war's outbreak. He served initially with the 2nd Bn HLI and was wounded 1915. He joined the 18th Bn in 1917.

 

Charlie

 

Edited 18 June by charlie962