My latest aquisition

There are a number of reasons why the India General Service 1908 medal captures my imagination. This was the only non-World War One medal that I owned in my first stretch of collecting in the 1980's. At that time I had a single IGS1908 and it was the rarest medal I owned and, for that time, it was quite an investment for me (working on a Youth Training Scheme for the princeley sum of £25 per week). The other reason is that the period was a time when soldiers either had served for some time (Sudan 1898 or South Africa 1900-1902) or would service in the Great War (or in some cases all the above). So there is generally a story behind each medal and the recipient was likely to have seen a lot of action.

My latest purchase is certainly that, and is an IGS1908 to Private F Pratt, 1914 star to A/Cpl Pratt, British War and Victory to TWO Cl 1 Pratt. Frank Pratt having landed in France with the main bulk of Warwicks at the start of the war and in time to serve with them at Le Cateau. He subsequently served with the 4th Northamptonshires (where he won the MiD oakleaf - Gazzette 16.01.1918) and the Royal Sussex Regiment.

The medals can be seen below, I have no confirmation of the clasp to the 1914 star yet.

Overall, a great addition to the collection, and hopefully updates as I confirm my research.

10234 Sidney Alfred De Ste Croix, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

An interesting book that I finished recently is called "Our Harry's War" by Harry Morgan (Rydan Publishing ISBN 0-9542193-0-9) which are the recollections of Private Morgan who volunteered for service in 1914 and served with the 1st, 11th and 2/7th Battalions of the Royal Warwicks. 

The book provides some interesting details, and the author was injured several times (resulting in him serving in three battalions). His five brothers also served in the army in various units and were fortunate to all return. Morgan also had two brother-in-laws who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (one of whom was a POW) and these were known as the 'Scotch Brummies'.

Several parts of the story are connected to medals, there is a picture of Morgan's 1914 star trio, and a picture of him during the war on leave in Birmingham wearing his 1914 star. However, one story caught my imagination, this was the story of Sergeant De Ste Croix.

I guess it was the name that stood-out, and after reading the story I checked his Medal Index Card (MIC) and was surprised to find that Sidney Alfred De Ste Croix was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal in World War One.

Morgan tells the story that he was sent on patrol in December 1915 while with the 11th battalion and he was taken with the Battalion Bombing Sergeant (grenade use was still a specialist activity at this point of the war)  to clear a German barricade. Morgan describes De Ste Croix as 'incredibly brave' and recalls the words of advice that he was given.

I've researched De Ste Croix a little, sadly his service records do not exist, however his DCM citation is available and reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and skill on patrol. On one occasion with only two men he drove off, with bombs, a large enemy working party. On another occasion he led a party of four men and destroyed with bombs, under heavy fire, some loop-holes in an enemy emplacement."

The DCM gazette is 9 July 1917 and the MM 3 June 1916.

De Ste Croix was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 19 October 1918 in the Machine Gun Corps and left the army in 1919.

There is no record of the man before 1914, he married Mable Hamon in 1919 in Lewisham, London and from this we know his father was James Charles De Ste Croix. From this wedding I understand he was born in 1891 or 1892, but there are no records of him or his father other than this.

The name De Ste Croix is, of course, Norman, and is more often found on the Channel Islands. I would like to find out more about Sidney De Ste Croix and to know if his medals (DCM, MM, 1914-15 star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) still exist somewhere.

All I know is that he died in Lewisham in 1956 aged 65.

RIP Sidney De Ste Croix

Wanted!

One of the reasons I've set-up this blog is so that I can post my 'wanted' list. These are particular medals that I'm looking for. If you can have the medals or know where they are then I would love to hear from you by email at info@tommysmedals.co.uk

The list is as follows:

• 1914 star and bar trio to 7060 Pte A Bailey, R War R
• 1914 star and bar to 9245 Sjt A Williams, R War R
• Queens South Africa (clasps Johannesburg, CC and OFS) to 6736 Pte J Garner, R War R
• 1914-15 star trio to 200803 Sjt W Lucock, R War R
• Queens South Africa (clasps Transvaal, SA01 and SA02), 1914 star trio to 7605 Pte W Grice R War R

All are required for re-unites. If you are able to help then please contact me at info@tommysmedals.co.uk

Welcome to the blog

If you have found this blog then you've either got some form of interest in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment or medal collecting in general.

As a collector or medals to the Warwicks this site is available for information and for me to post my 'wants' list.

If you want specific details on medals to the Warwicks (you're tracing an ancestor or have medals that you want more information) then please don't hesitate to email me at info@tommysmedals.co.uk. I can't promise to always have the answer, but I will help where I can and I have sites I can refer you to.

I am always interested in buying medals to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, so if you have anything at all then please email me with a photograph or brief description.