war/service medals

[benrymnd]

Can someone explain how I would go about trying to find out if my grandfather was ever issued with his medals? He served in the army and transferred to the equivalent of the R.A.F in the first world war.

[kiterunner]

If you post up his name and details, we could look for a medal index card and medal roll entry which might show whether the medals were issued.

[Merry]

Is he John Horton 1881-1923?

Just that there's another thread here which mentions this man was in the army and then the RFC in WW1, though I don't think the thread says he was your grandfather. :)

[JBee]

If they haven't been issued then I believe the next of kin can request them free of charge.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility

I believe the Army Medal Office is still in Droitwich - might be worth a telephone call.

[benrymnd]

Sorry for the delay as I have been away, the only details for him that I have is his name John Horton born in St Helens b 1881 D 1923,

[Merry]

The Royal Air Force, Airmen's Service Records document mentioned on the other thread states he joined the army on 30 Jan 1915 (this doc is def his as it records his wife and children. However, the army documents (also on FMP) date back to 1902. At the moment I've only looked at the first page, so I'll record any important details here, not yet knowing what those might be!

John Horton b St Helens army number 2079 Lancashire Fusiliers.

Labourer aged 20 yrs 2 months working at Greengate Brickworks, living at 12 Waterloo Street. Doc signed 31 Dec 1902 Warrington

Height 5' 9.5" Weight 132 lbs. Chest 32" exp 34.5". Complexion Light. Eyes Dk brown. Hair light brown. C of E.

Served 31 Dec 1902 - 17 Aug 1907.

Military History Sheet
Service abroad - blank
Wounded - blank
Gallant conduct - blank
Medals - blank
Injuries - blank
NoK: Father William Horton 12 Waterloo St, St Helens
Older brother, Charles Horton
Sister, Louisa Horton

Unfortunately I've not found any paperwork in respect of his WW1 army service.

[kiterunner]

This is a link to the other thread:
http://www.genealogistsforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=29532

[kiterunner]

I haven't found any medal info for him and I can't view his service record because it is only on Findmypast and Fold3, but I found some general information about medal records:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/tracing-your-family-history/tracing-your-royal-flying-corps-and-royal-air/medal-records

including the following: RFC personnel who first served overseas in 1916 or later or who joined after the formation of the RAF in April 1918 - there are no records for campaign medals issued by the Air Ministry. The only place you will find details about a medal entitlement will be on a service record.

[benrymnd]

Thanks, Merry and Kiterunner for the information and for taking the trouble to look it up for me