Staffordshire chronicle, was mentioned in dispatches for gallantry in lybia in june 1944. During ww1, reports from commanders in chief were published in the gazette, as the bearer of official war office and ministry of defence events. The london gazette printed announcements of promotions within the armed forces, appointments of official public offices, royal proclamations and much more. Additionally, read through full reports and despatches from key battles of the first world war. The mention in despatches is the most junior form of recognition that. Ive tried looking on the london gazettes website but drawn a blank and would love to know why he was mentioned in despatches can anyone help. London gazette editions 28862156 august 1914december 1920 hm king george v, in whose name all honours and gallantry. Hugh baker, mc, captain, 187147, gordon highlanders.
Distinguished conduct medal, london gazette zj 1 includes citations for first world war awards. Soldiers mentioned in dispatches are now available online for the first time online, leading british genealogy research website thegenealogist has released over 81,000 records of records of mentioned in dispatches from the first world war, linked to citations from the london gazette. Commandersinchief in the field submitted periodical lists of officers and soldiers who were mentioned in despatches. Settle was a leading aircraftman in the raf, and was commissioned as an acting pilot officer in december 1942. He showed the greatest coolness and contempt for danger on three separate occasions, when his mortar had been put out of action by hostile fire, repairing it himself and getting it back into action. The example of the mentioned in despatches letter from the secretary of state for war from world war one reads. I have his certificate and have been trying to find what he did to receive this honour. Britain has been at war on many occasions during the last 150 years.
This archive contains all london gazette editions from the war years 19141920, 19391948, and all london gazette honours and awards in the 20 th century. In the list just published of those who have been mentioned in despatches by lieut. For 19351990 see the online copies of wo 373, recommendations for military honours and awards. According to his papers he was mid by general sir jdp french for action on 151015, and this was reported in the london gazette on 1116. The united kingdom in the second world war despatches published in the london gazette. I am converting the despatches for other theatres of war into the new site format. The publication is britains oldest continuously printed newspaper. William ralph howells, mm, warrant officer ii, 816617, royal regiment of artillery. Mentioned in despatches world war two page 1 rootschat. In the twentyfirst century, war comes into our living rooms via news reports on television twentyfour hours a day. Gallantry medal or award, official announcements and, where noted, officially. Wwii mentioned in despatches headache armed forces page 1. His mm was reported in the lg on 141216 but the index to. Soldiers mentioned in dispatches are now available online on.
In a number of countries, a soldiers name must be mentioned in dispatches as a condition for receiving certain decorations. The commandersinchief of each theatre of war infrequently submitted a despatch to the war office, outlining the events since the previous despatch and listing those men who had been nominated as worthy of a mention. British commanders in chief of a theatre of war or campaign were obliged to report their activities and achievements to the war office in the form of despatches, which were published in the gazette. Forum mention in dispatches ww2 entry in the gazette.
Supplement to the london gazette of tuesday 22 june, 1943. All were published post war and contain detailed and vital official accounts that have been much used by air historians. Mentioned in despatches london gazette 4th january 1917 page 246 by general sir douglas haig. British gallantry, orders, decorations, and campaign ribbons. Despatches during world war 2, submitted by commanders in chief, were published in the gazette from 1941 until 1951. It shows, and very briefly explains, all the gallantry medals and campaign stars that could be awarded to all british participants, service personnel and civilians, in world war 2. In its first century of print, the gazette reported foreign and shipping news and official notices. Two days after dday, he was mentioned in despatches, which was detailed in the london gazette on the 8th june 1944, the london gazette entry can be viewed by clicking on here.
How to research a mention in despatches the long, long. Though not a medal, for actions during ww1, soldiers were entitled to receive a certificate and wear a decoration of a spray of oak leaves in bronze instigated in. Until the twentieth century news from the frontline was limited and until the second world war newspapers were the main official source. This was approved and details were published in the london gazette of july. The recommendation for the immediate award of the distinguished service order put forward by his. This appeared in the supplement which celebrated the kings birthday so i am sure there must be some history there somewhere. Soldiers mentioned in dispatches are now available online.
The following announcement was written by the folks at. Distinguished service cross, 1914 star, british war medal, 191418, allied victory medal. British commandersinchief of a theatre of war or campaign were obliged to report their activities and achievements to the war office in the form of despatches, which were published in the gazette. Recommendation of avtar singh for the military cross army form w3121 tna reference. O posthumously mentioned in despatches, london gazette 28 september 1944. Mentioned in despatches london gazette 8 june 1944 p2620. Award of a mention ranked below mc or mm and could be for gallantry in action or for a wide range of services on and off the battlefield. For the boer war 1899 1902 there is extensive correspondence and despatches as well as official recommendations. His mm was reported in the lg on 141216 but the index to the gazette does not find the entry. Clarke, robert, flight sergeant 1002829, royal air force no. Also, we have another certificate dated october 1944 and signed by field marshal montgomery although it looks like a preprinted signature to me which mentions performing good service and great.
Public record office air 25025 has recommendation for a military medal. Distinguished flying cross rcaf afro 80245 11 may 1945 flight lieutenant vardigans and warrant officer d. Search records of soldiers awards from the london gazette. After searching the online index i found this entry. My maternal grand father was mentioned in despatches. British field commanders despatches the long, long trail. Over 81,000 records of servicemen and women mentioned in dispatches during the first world war have been added to. Gazette world war 2 despatches, submitted by commandersinchief, by issue or. The distinguished service order dso is a military decoration of the united kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the commonwealth, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat. He was made pilot officer in february 1943, before being promoted from pilot officer to flying officer in august 1943. Im helping a friend whos father was mentioned in despatches twice. British military gallantry medals the national archives.
Spencer above as pilot and navigator respectively have taken part in numerous operational sorties. Activities and achievements of the war were detailed, with individuals mentioned in despatches mid. The british gallantry and bravery awards of the first world war. Distinguished flying cross london gazette 21 november 1944 p5341 in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations. For the first time online, leading british genealogy research website thegenealogist has released over 81,000 records of records of mentioned in dispatches from the first world war, linked to citations from the london gazette. British war and victory medals, territorial force war medal, india general service medal gvi. The mention in despatches is the most junior form of recognition that was announced in the london gazette. This list of despatches available on the long, long trail is work in progress. Avtar singh was recommended for the military cross.
These despatches were written by the commanders concerned during the war and then published later in the british government newspaper of record, the london gazette. Example of mentioned in despatches letter from the. Pre 1914 although not complete details will be available for many awards dating back to the crimean war including the vc, dso and dcm. He never talked about his war service to his daughter sadly. A dedication to the members of the templewest family who.
Mentioned despatches for sale in uk view 16 bargains. Wo 3734039 very often you will find the army form w3121, although other. I created this page primarily for members of the bbc ww2 website. His award of the military cross was published in the london gazette of 15 january 1946. Bearing in mind the perennial headaches of finding mids in the gazette especially considering that the gazette can very rarely find them at all i was wondering if anyone would be interested in having the ones we can find listed here in albeit condensed form so that we can search via a webpage. May 06, 2009 according to his papers he was mid by general sir jdp french for action on 151015, and this was reported in the london gazette on 1116. Bowers, corporal winnifred stella raf waaf 2055795 mention in despatches station eastmoor awarded as per london gazette dated 14 june 1945. Bakerfalkner, roy sydney, lieutenantcommandera mentioned in despatches royal navy no. How to research a mention in despatches the long, long trail. Compilation of despatches relating to air operations appearing as supplements to the london gazette.
The distinguished service order dso is a military decoration of the united kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the commonwealth, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically. Recommendations for military honours and awards 19351990 the. Hugh was attached to the royal armoured corps, and served in burma. Groups with first world war medals j collins medals. Mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished services in malaya during the period 1st january. Example of mentioned in despatches letter from the secretary.
Search and download mentions in dispatches 19141920 as recorded on medal index cards wo 37224. A copy of the entry in the london gazette announcing the award will be supplied. Dsc, received for services in action with enemy submarines, ww1. The london gazette, supplements august 1914 january 1920. All were published post war and contain detailed and vital official accounts that have been much used. Thomas was mentioned in despatches in the london gazette of 2 june 1944. In all, 141,082 mentions were recorded in the london gazette between 1914 and 1920. This was approved and details were published in the london gazette of july 1945. Jan 12, 2014 my maternal grand father was mentioned in despatches. Available to diamond subscribers of the site, each transcription is accompanied by a scan of the original handwritten record, as well as a link to the official citation as it appeared in the london gazette. The king has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names of the following personnel who have been mentioned in despatches. Maj alan percival skevington mc soldiers and their units. London gazette, 16 aug 1917 dcm for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
George cross or a mention in despatches could be awarded posthumously. Wwii mentioned in despatches headache armed forces. The date was 28th november 1944 and, having trawled unsuccessfully through the london gazette pdfs of that date, i am stuck. Search by multiple criteria to find exactly what you are looking for. Established in 1919, it was retrospective to august 1914. Sister miss e, smithies was mentioned in a despatch from lieutenant general sir w. Mentions in despatches index reference books great war. The issue or supplement number, title and date of publication are listed below. Mentioned in despatches london gazette 14 june 1945. Nov 05, 2014 the following announcement was written by the folks at. Despatches during world war 2, submitted by commandersinchief, were published in the gazette from 1941 until 1951.
During ww1, reports from commandersinchief were published in the gazette, as the bearer of official war office and ministry of defence events. He died in service on 28 july 1944 and is buried in a war cemetery grave in cleethorpes, where he was serving and where he appears to have died. It was not a common honour with, for example, only twentyfive out of 1,000 members of the royal newfoundland regiment in the first world war mentioned in despatches. Occasionally citations are published in the london gazette but not always at the same. A soldier mentioned in dispatches or despatches mid is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldiers gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy. Major general robert grice sturges, a veteran of ww1, commanded the special service group from august 1943. British army medal ribbons, mentioned in despatche original medal ribbons belonging to a royal presented for auction is this world war oneworld war 2 ww1 ww2 mentioned in despatches medal group of five miniature medals.
William was mentioned in despatches in the london gazette of 16 june 1944. A soldier mentioned in dispatches or despatches mid is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high. British forces in salonika, for distinguished service, is acting captain willia. B dated 7th february 1919 for gallant and distinguished services in the field. A ww2 mentioned in despatches medal group awarded to flying officer harry settle raf.
I cannot trace any operational details in regards to this man or the squadron in which he served, but it would appear that he relinquished his commission in. The london gazette was first published by king charles ii in 1665, during the plague and became the official journal of the british government. Supplement to the london gazette of tuesday 22 june, 1943 thursday, 24th june, 1943 war office, 24th june, 1943. Public record officer air 28959, courtesy of steve brew, has recommendation for an afc intended for the 1944 new year honours list and downgraded to this. Alan percival skevington mc was a major in the mgc in ww1 and was twice mentioned in despatches. The king has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the middle east during the period 1st may, 1942, to 22nd october,1942.
To mark 75 years of ve day, peter doyle, professor of history at london south. In the british armed forces, the despatch is published in the london gazette. London gazette editions 28862156 august 1914december 1920 hm king george v, in whose name all honours and gallantry awards were granted click to enlarge 1 my thanks to the london. British army medal ribbons, mentioned in despatche original medal ribbons belonging to a royal presented for auction is this world war oneworld war 2 ww1ww2 mentioned in despatches medal group of five miniature medals. The mention appeared in the london gazette, which is now online and searchable.