Looking for info on PPCLI WW1 soldier

Discussion in 'Prewar' started by Jim Prout, Oct 13, 2018.

  1. Jim Prout

    Jim Prout Member

    I have recently found a WW1 medal belonging to a family member, 4111160 LCpl David Harris James PPCLI. I have no idea why he would have served with this unit as he came from west wales. Id also like to know how I can get hold of his military service records. I have managed to get hold of his attestation paper from an online source but im in the process of getting all our family medals mounted and want to know exactly what medals are his(i have a few).
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Huge numbers of British lads went to Canada pre-WW1 to work & joined up on the outbreak of war.
    After the war some came back to the UK.
    Can you not order his full service records with the attestation paper from the Canadian archives ?
    I did that the old fashioned way by post in the 90s for a local lad who was killed served with the 5th Bn CEF.
    No need nowadays , it's all there below.
    You added an extra 1 to his number.
    Item - Library and Archives Canada


    Sevice records here. 108 pages
    http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B4770-S051


    His War Medal & Victory Medal should have his name & number on the rim.
     
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  3. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Jim,

    Unless David was awarded a gallantry medal for his service in WW1, he would be entitled to the British War and Victory medals to go with his Star. These would have his name, rank, number and unit impressed on the outer rim of the medal.

    Photo of the medals mentioned:

    195.jpg
     
  4. Jim Prout

    Jim Prout Member

    Ive just scanned through his records and the majority are medical records. It looks like he was in France when he was evacuated back to the UK with appendicitis. Im not 100% sure which medals he would be entitled to except the one with his name on. Surely there should be somewhere on his records showing what medals and decorations he had earnt or exactly what theatres of war he served.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  6. Jim Prout

    Jim Prout Member

    Thank you for this.

    Theres only the one medal with his details on(shown).

    If he was entitled to the victory medal I would get a copy/replica before I get them all mounted.

     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I've been looking for his medal index card & can't find one either on the British or Canadian archives . :(

    As you have his 14-15 Star maybe get the WM & VM so he has Pip, Squeak & Wilfred.

    Like this group.
    First War Group to the PPCLI - Twice Wounded
     
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  8. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    I am trying to find him in here - British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 - but his name doesnt help and service numbers are normally 4, 5 or 6 figures not 7 as his number above - can you check that

    TD

    do you have any other details - date of birth, where born, etc etc
     
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    TD, see my first post on thread, number has too many 1s in it. 411160.
    Date of birth is on the attestation papers see my links too.
     
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  10. Jim Prout

    Jim Prout Member

    My mistake, it is 411160.
     
  11. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Owen,

    CEF files don't have UK style medal index cards.

    The CEF equivalent is at P9 in the file with reverse at P10. The squiggles on the right hand side are supposed to indicate "struck through" letters V and B to show his entitlement to BWM & VM. France and 17th July 1915 indicate 14/15 Star entitlement.

    Stamp on P10 shows medals were dispatched to the updated address in Canada shown at bottom P9 in 1925

    Regards.

    Steve
     
  12. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
    Name: David Harries James
    Registration Year: 1891
    Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec
    Registration district: Newcastle in Emlyn
    Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District
    Inferred County: Cardiganshire
    Volume: 11b
    Page: 17

    Seems he travelled to & from Canada a few times after the War

    TD
     
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  13. Jim Prout

    Jim Prout Member

    Yes, thats him. Im guessing this is my mums grandad but thats purely a guess at the minute.
     
  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  15. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi Owen,

    I take your point that there are some exceptions to the rule that applies to most of the CEF soldiers

    Some CEF have UK style MIC because they were subsequently commissioned into "Imperial Forces" as in the example you've posted. I'd guess the majority of CEF UK MIC relate to these circumstances.

    Another exception will be CEF who served RFC/RAF. I was looking at a CEF file only yesterday for a CEF Lt who transferred RFC (later RAF). His CEF style MIC is endorsed with his RAF Medal roll details as I'm sure all other RFC transferees from CEF will be - although IIRC RAF MIC are not in the public domain.

    Steve
     
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  16. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    That inspired me to try something - and I hope someone has FMP access to do the same and compare results.

    Using the database on Ancestry - All British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 - and by just typing in PPCLI into the Regiment/Corps slot - I had 33 results

    Example:
    Name: J Bryant
    Regiment or Corps: PPCLI (Can EF), E Surr R (TF)
    Regimental Number: 1721, 6135203
    30850_A000239-00775.jpg

    However David James is not on that list - but that could be through transcription errors etc, perhaps FMP will provide better results??

    TD
     
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  17. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi TD,

    Steady on there Richard this inspiration thing can be catching:salut:

    David James won't be on Ancestry MIC list as he only served PPCLI in CEF. Ancestry will likely only have all PPCLI (and other CEF units) who transferred to UK (then called Imperial) forces.

    Steve
     
  18. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    As Steve said above those MICs are for chaps who transfered to the British Army. Such as your example. Those that stayed in the Canadian Army wont have one.
     
  19. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    I guess thats the problem with Sunday mornings and feeling inspired - perhaps I'll just go for a walk instead

    TD
     
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  20. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Best take an umbrella.
     
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