The british world war i victoria cross recipient john vereker, later field marshal viscount gort, was mentioned in despatches nine times, as was the canadian general sir arthur currie. 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. Mentioned in despatches certificate, first world war. Mentioned in despatches bernard newman pprune forums. After the first world war the emblem was changed to a single bronze oak leaf. Prior to 1979, a mention in dispatches was one of the few awards that could be made posthumously, the others being the victoria cross and george cross. A special emblem to signify a mention in despatches was instituted during the first world war and continued to be awarded for active service up to august 10, 1920. 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. The card may mention the theatre of war entered, such as 1 france, but.
The example of the mentioned in despatches letter from the secretary of state for war from world war one reads. Years of international tension and aggressive expansion by fascist italy and nazi germany culminated in the german invasion of poland on 1 september 1939. World war i often abbreviated as wwi or ww1, also known as the first world war or the great war, was a global war that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It was at the end of the first world war that the practice of awarding a device to signify. A minimum deposit of 30% of the total price of your order including. Following the declaration of war by the british empire on 4 august 1914, the colony was completely cut off from reinforcement. Sir john french 6th despatch, winter 191415 1621915. Brig gen sir david henderson, rfc 1st infantry division, 9 september 1914. Despatches westminster school and the first world war. 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.
To be mentioned in despatches can be a condition of receiving certain decorations. Though not a medal, for actions during ww1, soldiers were entitled to receive. During the first world war, commanders issued despatches outlining military operations. Ww2 1945 rafvr mentioned in despatches full size ww2 mentioned in dispatches long service and good conduct army medal group of six awarded to bombardier waldron, royal artillery. This guide focuses on australians serving in world war 1. Certificate of mention in dispatches, together with original envelope, awarded to lieutenant j longbourne during the first world war. The references below will help you locate soldiers mentioned in despatches. The british first world war victoria cross recipient john vereker, later field marshal viscount gort, was mentioned in dispatches nine times, as was the canadian general sir arthur currie. B dated 7th february 1919 for gallant and distinguished services in the field. It could be awarded more than once but only one oak leaf is to be worn no.
His november 1918 dsm from the rn for services in the aegean 1 jan to 30 jun 1918 and his december 1918 mention in army despatches were both awarded for the time he was serving in the battleship hms lord nelson at salonika. Mentioned in despatches football and the first world war. Contemporaneously described as the war to end all wars, it led to the mobilisation of more than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million europeans, making it one of the largest wars in history. Details of soldiers performing gallant acts might be mentioned by name in these despatches. Bennett was mentioned in dispatches a total of eight times during the first world war, as was john dill. Crucially, the database also contains individuals who. Primary documents sir douglas haigs despatches as british commanderinchief, 191619 when douglas haig was appointed commanderinchief of the british armies operating in france and flanders in december 1915 succeeding sir john french he was expected to follow in the tradition of his predecessors with the periodical submittal of despatches from the front, each detailing the progress. In several occasions also persons were mentioned in these despatches without them having received a decoration for the mentioned action. World war 1 list of names referred to in despatch dated 8th october 1914. Roche captured the first prisoners for the battalion. 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. The collector and researchers guide to the great war by howard williamson. A second war mentioned in despatches oak leaf a second war. The british first world war victoria cross recipient john vereker, later field marshal viscount gort, was mentioned in despatches nine times, as was the canadian general sir arthur currie.
Following actions in world war 1 it was common for the british to release various despatches and statements, often via the first lord in the house of parliament. D oak leaf awarded to personnel who have been mentioned in despatches in action with the enemy all enviroments in war. How to research a mention in despatches the long, long. During ww1, reports from commanders in chief were published in the gazette, as the bearer of official war office and ministry of defence events. Ww1 reports from commandersinchief were published in the gazette, as the. Called up in august 1914, he went with his battalion to france on 1 november 1914, and was mentioned in despatches for his bravery at the end of the month. Sister miss e, smithies was mentioned in a despatch from lieutenant general sir w. In addition, during the first world war an emblem of bronze oak leaves which signified that the medal recipient had received an mid was also worn on the ribbon of the victory medal. Oct 21, 2008 in addition, during the first world war an emblem of bronze oak leaves which signified that the medal recipient had received an mid was also worn on the ribbon of the victory medal. Originally a mention in despatches was the means of brining an individuals. William ernest newbitt dsm mentioned in despatches sailors.
Offered is 1 x full sized replica first world war mention in despatches oak leaf badge. Sir john french 1st despatch, mons and le cateau 08091914. At the start of the first world war, germanys west african colony of togoland was isolated from the rest of the german empire. Mentioned in dispatches letter world war one rootschat. Originally there was no award as such, the literal mention of the individual in the despatch being deemed sufficient. They cover awards granted between about 1909 and 1931. Nov 06, 2014 over 81,000 records of servicemen and women mentioned in dispatches during the first world war have been added to. A second war mentioned in despatches oak leaf bronze, 8 mm x 22.
I am trying to find details of my wifes grandfather, his name is george vaughan, he was mentioned in despatches in the first world war, i cannot find the gazette reference, the gazette no is 29072, the date is 1721915 and the page no is page 1659, any help would be appreciated. See listings of other books by michael maton on the state library catalogue. There is a section on nurses and womens war occupations. Bennett was mentioned in despatches a total of eight times during the first world war, as was john dill. The australian general gordon bennett was mentioned in despatches a total of eight times during the first world war, as was field marshal sir john dill. Activities and achievements of the war were detailed, with individuals mentioned in despatches mid. It also includes some information relevant to great britain, other commonwealth nations and other combatant nations. Badge measures 31mm wide and was moulded from an original ww1 badge. Mention in despatches mid bronze oakleaf world war 1 full size.
How to research a mention in despatches the long, long trail. 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 commandersinchief of a theatre of war or campaign were obliged to report their. Aug 22, 2009 encyclopedia mentioned in despatches although not actually a decoration in itself, recognition granted to british and commonwealth soldiers singled out for what amounted to a mention in a commander in chiefs military despatch took the form of a certificate. Mentioned in despatches national museum of the royal new. Mentioned despatches for sale in uk view 58 bargains. Togoland had borders with the british gold coast to the west, french dahomey to the east, and french west africa to the north. The mid is a special clasp to signify a mention in despatches from the front. London gazette editions 2886129654 august 1914july 1916.
This is a fantastic first world war bronze mention in. One of the oldest imperial forms of recognition for bravery or distinguished service is when a serviceman or servicewoman was mentioned in. Search records of soldiers awards from the london gazette. The mention in despatches is the most junior form of recognition that was announced in the london gazette.
Britain and france declared war on germany two days later. First name some records do not include a first name so try searching with initials first. Emblems granted for mentions during the second world war were worn in the centre of the 19391945 war medal. Primary documents sir douglas haigs despatches as british commander in chief, 191619 when douglas haig was appointed commander in chief of the british armies operating in france and flanders in december 1915 succeeding sir john french he was expected to follow in the tradition of his predecessors with the periodical submittal of despatches from the front, each detailing the progress of. Soldiers mentioned in dispatches are now available online. Serving genealogists with free uk family history resources since 1999. 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. Example of mentioned in despatches letter from the. Over 81,000 records of servicemen and women mentioned in dispatches during the first world war have been added to. Oct 24, 2017 after the first world war the emblem was changed to a single bronze oak leaf.
Historically 19th century and some of the interwar colonial frontier wars despatches filed by field commanders did single out individual personnel for mention though rarely with any details as to why they were being mentioned. However, it was decided during the great war that an oak leaf emblem could be worn with the ribbon of the victory medal, denoting the mention. World war 1 royal navy despatches from 1st september to. The second world war was the most destructive conflict in human history. Royal navy despatches from 1st september to 17th october, 1914 relating to operations in heligoland bight world war 1 royal navy despatches from 1st september to 17th october, 1914 heligoland serving genealogists with free uk family history resources since 1999. British commandersinchief of a theatre of war or campaign were obliged to report their activities and achievements to the war office. Ww2 1945 rafvr mentioned in despatches certificate.
It was originally created to keep a single record of a soldiers medal entitlement due to the requirements that needed to be met in order to qualify for certain medals though nearly all soldiers. William ernest newbitt dsm mentioned in despatches. Obviously as these were released during the war they contained elements of propaganda, censorship and genuine ignorance of many facts. Discover, explore and remember millions of personal stories from the first world war. For all that, mids were nevertheless announced in the london gazette along with other. The following announcement was written by the folks at. Royal navy seamen 18991919 royal navy officers 18991919. During world war one, british and empire soldiers could be officially commended for an act of gallantry or meritorious service without the award of a medal, this. Army despatches with naval operations and mentions, part 1 of 3. The gallantry award medal index cards are all in wo 37223 or wo 37224.
During the second world war, a single leaved bronze oak leaf was issued to be work on the ribbon of the 19391945 war medal. A mention in despatches was the only form of award, apart from the victoria cross, which could be bestowed posthumously and it was often awarded when the services id not reach the standard for the award of a gallantry meal. It was instituted during world war 1 and continued being awarded for active service right up until 20 aug 1920. A transcript of the list of names referred to in despatch dated 8th october 1914.
Mentioned in despatches bernard newman my grandfather was mentioned in despatches in ww1, i have the certificate but was wondering if it is possible to get a look at the actual mention i know its not aviation related apart from the fact that his ww2 french legion du honeur is signed by dassault. Sometimes erroneously called an oak leaf, the mid for service in this period, is worn on the victory medal and consisted of a single broad spray of oak leaves. World war 1 list of names referred to in despatch dated. The medal rolls index also known as the medal index cards is the listing of approximately 4. For those mentioned in despatches between the two world wars, or after the cessation of hostilities in the second world war, the emblem was worn on the. British army medal index cards 19141920 the national archives. Royal naval division casualties of the great war, 19141924. In 1920 the minister of defence of the union of south africa was empowered to award a multipleleaved bronze oak leaf emblem to all servicemen and servicewomen mentioned in dispatches during the first world war for valuable services in action. United kingdom, british empire and commonwealth of nations. Our layaway program offers the opportunity for clients to make payments on eligible items over a period of three 3 months. World war 1 list of names referred to in despatch dated 8th. However, first and second world war despatches such as those published in the london gazette dealt with the. World war 1 despatches during ww1, reports from commandersinchief were published inthe gazette, as the bearer of official war office and ministry of defence events. Example of mentioned in despatches letter from the secretary.