Extract from the no 1 commando war diary 68 december 1942. British field commanders despatches the long, long trail. North russian expeditionary force and other despatches. 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. Hermes, the royal navys first purposebuilt aircraft. Orders, decorations, medals and militaria dix noonan webb. A member of the armed forces 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 his or her gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy is described. Over 81,000 records of servicemen and women mentioned in dispatches during the first world war have been added to. Mentioned in despatches london gazette 11 june 1942 p2518 since missing greek distinguished flying cross london gazette 29 december 1942 p5639 in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war. Read london gazette newspaper archives, mar 24, 1692, p.
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 mention in despatches is the most junior form of recognition that was announced in the london gazette. Wwii mentioned in despatches headache armed forces page 1. Orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria 15002 by. Mentioned in despatches for conspicuous gallantry as a prisoner of war none of the other relevant decorations then available could be awarded posthumously. Sir john french 6th despatch, winter 191415 1621915.
Tom leigh raf officer military wiki fandom powered. Pre 1914 although not complete details will be available for many awards dating back to the crimean war including the vc, dso and dcm. Previously, the other official despatches had to be downloaded page by page from the london gazette. There was a signals school in portsmouth which then transferred to east meon so maybe there was a period of overlap. Thomas john southey, with a london gazette entry on 26 may 1917. The london gazette printed announcements of promotions within the armed forces, appointments of official public offices, royal proclamations and much more.
Over time, along with providing notice of changes to laws and. Dudley dixon also received an award, his second bar to his dsc. The first recorded was the red rover in 1860 during the american civil war. General barretts report, covering the capture of basra and including events between 1428 november 1914, is in the times documentary history of the war, vol. This list of despatches available on the long, long trail is work in progress. Smith royal engineers, was published in the london gazette on 22 march 1945, as mentioned in a despatch for distinguished service. Mentioned in despatches certificate of lt g a langley, royal corps of signals, london gazette, 16 sept 1943. Additionally, read through full reports and despatches from key battles of the first world war. Supplement to the london gazette of tuesday 22 june, 1943 thursday, 24th june, 1943 war office, 24th june, 1943. Lister, lac william norman r151546 mention in despatches no. British war and victory medals with nine times mentioned in despatches emblem. North russian expeditionary force and other despatches, world. To the left is a copy of the london gazette honours and awards supplement of 19th june 1945.
Example of mentioned in despatches letter from the secretary. 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. Crisop, richard, corporal 988091, royal air force volunteer reserve mention in despatches awarded as per london gazette dated 1 october 1946. Search records of soldiers awards from the london gazette. People referred to are said to have been mentioned in despatches. Wwii mentioned in despatches headache armed forces. London gazette editions 3118931970 january 1919december 1920. An intimation to this effect appeared in a recent issue of the london gazette. Crucially, the database also contains individuals who. The london gazette was first published by king charles ii in 1665, during the plague and became the official journal of the british government. I am charged to record his majestys high appreciation.
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. Twigge, 60th rifles, who was killed in action in italy on july 12, 1944, has been mentioned in despatches for brave conduct during the war. All notices are accessible via uk whether they originated in belfast, edinburgh or london gazettes. Search by multiple criteria to find exactly what you are looking for. This database contains issues of the london gazette historical background. Soldiers mentioned in dispatches are now available online on. For the boer war 1899 1902 there is extensive correspondence and despatches as well as official recommendations. New testament used throughout the burma campaign, 19411945. Gubbins, who was also mentioned in despatches london gazette 15 june 1916, refers, later served in the egyptian expeditionary force as deputy assistant adjutant general, services that resulted in his award of the o. You may also notice other officers names who have featured in this website. The london gazette traces its origins back to king charles iis move from london to oxford during the plague of 1665. Despatches during world war 2, submitted by commanders in chief, were published in the gazette from 1941 until 1951. Hms mercury was another shorebased training establishment for signallers at east meon near petersfield commissioned in 1941. To be mentioned in despatches can be a condition of receiving certain decorations.
Hmt egilsay was an isles class trawlerminesweeper probably stationed in the mediterranean as part of a detachment of the royal naval patrol service rnps. Activities and achievements of the war were detailed, with individuals mentioned in despatches mid. 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. This is the action rod received his mentioned in dispatches for. Harcourts military career began in 1914 when he was commissioned into the british army. The great dry dock, the forme ecluse, the only one on the atlantic seaboard capable of holding the tirpitz, was put out of action for the rest of the war, and the german. Dougs wife phyl recollects that hms mercury was in portsmouth.
Despatches during world war 2, submitted by commandersinchief, were published in the gazette from 1941 until 1951. The indian police medal was replaced by the police medal which was established by the government of india notification dated 15 march 1951. Until the twentieth century news from the frontline was limited and until the second world war newspapers were the main official source. 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. After a long adventure away from australia, gubbins finally returned in 1938 with his wife. The london gazette is one of the official journals of record or government gazettes of the.
B dated 7th february 1919 for gallant and distinguished services in the field. Extract from the marylebone mercury saturday 03 july 1943. Mercury 1712 and berrows worcester journal 1690, because the gazette. Hopkins sic to be major, late royal engineers special reserve with the rank effect on the 7 th of may 1923. 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. Twigge, steephill beacon, have received official notification that their only son, lieut. 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. Sister miss e, smithies was mentioned in a despatch from lieutenant general sir w. Whilst moving into position for attack in front of villers bretonneux at 5 a. The united kingdom in the second world war despatches published in the london gazette.
In the british armed forces, the despatch is published in the london gazette. The example of the mentioned in despatches letter from the secretary of state for war from world war one reads. Mentioned in despatches for sinking of the bismarck london gazette 14 october 1941 born 26 july 1904. Bowers, corporal winnifred stella raf waaf 2055795 mention in despatches station eastmoor awarded as per london gazette dated 14 june 1945. Nazaire 28th march, 1942, the greatest and most desperate of all, was the work of no. Britain has been at war on many occasions during the last 150 years. Orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria 15002. The publication is britains oldest continuously printed newspaper. 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. London gazette newspaper archives, mar 24, 1692, p. The royal warrants instituting both awards appeared in the gazette, and by 1920, over 120,000 mms and 40,000 mcs had been gazetted. The following announcement was written by the folks at.
Today, the ministry of defence supplement to the london gazette is published weekly on tuesdays, on behalf of the forces. The london gazette, supplements august 1914 january 1920. The indian police medal ceased to be awarded after india became a republic. Read london mercury newspaper archives, aug 5, 1893, p. In 1914 he became one of the first airmen trained for the australian flying corps afc, and the following year was among the first afc members to see action when he was deployed to the middle east with the mesopotamian half flight. Soldiers mentioned in dispatches are now available online. 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 issue or supplement number, title and date of publication are listed below. In the twentyfirst century, war comes into our living rooms via news reports on television twentyfour hours a day. 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. Memorials and monuments on the isle of wight people alan. A member of the armed forces 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 his or her gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy is described in some countries, a service members name must be mentioned in dispatches as a condition for receiving certain decorations. It was published in a supplement to the london gazette on 8 june 1944. For valuable service rendered in connection with military operations in egypt gubbins, who was also mentioned in despatches london gazette 15 june 1916, refers, later served in the egyptian expeditionary force as deputy assistant adjutant general, services that resulted in his award of the o.
Search the london gazette archive search by multiple criteria to find exactly what you are looking for. Supplement to the london gazette of 19 december 1944, and a page of the. A copy of the entry in the london gazette announcing the award will be supplied. Hm ml 495 motor launch based at hms forward ii coastal forces base, newhaven, from 11. How to research a mention in despatches the long, long. London gazette mention in despatches world war two. How to research a mention in despatches the long, long trail. A royal warrant in 1942 allowed the viceroy of india, in exceptional circumstances, to raise the number of awards to 250 in a year. The gazette became the authoritative source of government and other news and is britains oldest continuously published newspaper. Bunt received a mention in despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in north africa. In some countries, a service members name must be mentioned in dispatches. 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 an army order on 12 january 1920, which could be displayed on the victory medal. Sir thomas walter white, kbe, dfc, vd 26 april 1888 october 1957 was an australian politician and first world war pilot.
Memorials and monuments on the isle of wight people. In its first century of print, the gazette reported foreign and shipping news and official notices. During the first world war he served on the western front, commanding a machine gun unit. Oct 17, 2005 ive tried looking on the london gazette s website but drawn a blank and would love to know why he was mentioned in despatches can anyone help. While a prisoner of war in japanese hands, this airmans work was of immense value to the administration of the three prison camps in which he was. Hms st christopher coastal forces training establishment, fort william 04.
Mentioned in despatches bernard newman pprune forums. Hospital ships information about hospital ships used by the british army during the world wars and the falklands war. Example of mentioned in despatches letter from the. 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. He again appears in the london gazette xxxi with an entry under supplementary reserve of officers royal engineers postal section. Nov 05, 2014 the following announcement was written by the folks at. Isle of wight mercury friday, december 7, 1945 page 1 mr. These have been used by the military to evacuate and treat army personnel until they could be transferred to military hospitals and treatment centres. Sir john french 1st despatch, mons and le cateau 08091914. 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. Records in the london gazette for soldiers mentioned in despatches, awarded medals, gallantry awards, promotions or special honours with forces war. I am converting the despatches for other theatres of war into the new site format.