Medal Rolls

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The medals article has details of medals awarded for various military campaigns. Most of the nominal medal rolls for these awards are at the British Library. Many of the rolls are reprinted in books on the open access shelves. Details of the India Office Records' reference numbers can be found at Your Archives - Medal Rolls in the India Office Library.

FIBIS resources

See also

The National Archives, Kew, England

Research Guides

WO 100 Medal Rolls

The National Archives records WO 100 Medal Rolls are available to download free of charge as pdfs. These records are available on the pay site Ancestry, (refer below) but those who do not have access to Ancestry, (or if Ancestry has transcribed the name in the roll incorrectly, or omitted the record[1]), may find the downloads useful. They are large pdfs, which require a broadband connection . For full details refer the National Archives advice page Digital microfilm

The records are mainly in respect of British Army regiments, although there are some in respect of the Indian Army. Some medals do not appear to have rolls in the WO 100 records, and appear to be only available in the India Office records at the British Library, refer above.

Some medals, whose rolls generally are part of WO 100, were issued by the Government in India to British Army soldiers still serving in India. It is unclear whether all these medal recipients are included in the WO 100 records, although some appear to be.[2]

The catalogue entry is WO 100 Campaign Medal and Award Rolls (General Series) The following subseries have been noted , following the order of the National Archive’s Discovery catalogue

WO 102 Medal Rolls

The majority of the National Archives records Long Service and Good Conduct Awards, Registers: WO 102 are available to download free of charge as pdfs. The records in WO 102/1-24 are available as downloads, while the records WO 102/25-35 have not been digitised. The records are Registers of candidates noted for, and recipients of, the Long Service and Good Conduct awards between 1831 and 1953. They are large pdfs, which require a broadband connection . For details about the connection, refer the National Archives advice page Digital microfilm

ADM 171 Naval Medal Rolls

The National Archives records ADM 171 Admiralty, and Ministry of Defence, Navy Department: Medal Rolls 1793-1995 are available to download free of charge as pdfs. These records are available on the pay site Ancestry, (refer below) but those who do not have access to Ancestry may find the downloads useful. They are large pdfs which require a broadband connection. For full details refer the National Archives advice page Digital microfilm

  • These records include ADM 171/62 1915-1952. Naval General Service Medal: including clasp for Persian Gulf 1909-1914; clasp for Iraq 1919-1920; clasp for North West Persia 1920. The clasp for Persian Gulf is known to include Royal Indian Marine recipients.

First World War

Medal Index Cards

  • The National Archives research guide British Army medal index cards 1914-1920. Includes a Search facility, information about the medals and how to read the cards, including links to two detailed lists of abbreviations in respect of rank and unit. There is also reference to the Indian Army Medal Index Cards, catalogue references WO 372/25 to WO 372/29, for the period to 31 December 1918. Note however, there are some Medal Index Cards relating to men in the Mesopotamian Railways, Indian Ordnance Department, Indian Mountain Artillery, and perhaps others, which are not specifically classified as Indian Army, and are catalogued outside this range.
  • Images of the medal index cards are also available on the commercial site Ancestry. The Ancestry database also includes the back of the cards which sometimes contain information. Additionally the Ancestry cards are in colour, which may be easier to read, whereas the National Archives images are in black and white. TNA images are from microfiches scanned in 1985-86, whereas Ancestry images were scanned c 2008 from MOD original cards, which may have later notations, possibly up to c 2005.[4]
The Ancestry website advises some records including Indian Army cards are not included. However some Mesopotamian Railways, and perhaps other entries which are not classified Indian Army may be included on the Ancestry database.
Note. There are known to be some accidental omissions from the Ancestry database, including one large batch.[5]
Note
  • There are some Medal Index Cards for Indians belonging to the British Army. Lascars in the Royal Artillery (see Gun Lascar), and Inland Water Transport, Royal Engineers have been noted, together with some soldiers in Indian Artillery Mountain Batteries.
  • The Medal Index Cards appear to only contain some of the medal entitlements for soldiers, (both European and Indian), in the Indian Army. Some medals, such as the War Medal and the Victory Medal were issued by the Government of India.[6] Generally these are not included in the Medal Index Cards.

Medal Rolls

  • WO 329. The Medal Rolls for some records may contain information additional to that in the Medal Index Cards.
Catalogue reference: WO 329 War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War includes a free download Index and Key to War of 1914-1918 medal rolls. This guide was written prior to the current catalogue, and the relationship between the original index references and the modern WO 329 are described here [7]
The medal rolls for the Indian Army in this series include British War Medal and Victory Medal: officers and other ranks WO 329/2384-2391, Officers WO 329/2303 - Described at item level, WO 329/2304,W0 329/2347-2352; 1914-15 Star: WO 329/2939 (part of) WO 329/2940, WO 329/2941; Territorial Force War Medal: Officers: WO 329/3272- Described at item level.
For soldiers who were in Volunteer regiments in India pre WW1, see Calcutta Volunteer Battery for more details of medals to this Battery which may be classified according to the original Volunteer regiment the soldier came from.
Note: The WO 329 medal rolls available at the National Archives appear to only contain some of the medal entitlements for soldiers in the Indian Army. It appears that some of the medals may have been issued in India but although the the British Library appears to have a medal roll for the 1914-1915 Star, it is unclear what rolls for other medals are available. Refer "British Library records" below.
The medal rolls are available on the pay site Ancestry. Transcription of some/all of the WO 329 medal rolls are available on the pay site "Naval and Military Archive". See External links below.

Details inscribed on the medals

The regimental particulars inscribed on British War and Victory Medals are those held on first disembarkation in a Theatre of War. The rank is highest attained provided it was held in a Theatre of War or overseas prior to 11-11-18.[8]

For First World War Medals, millions of which were issued, there was plenty of potential for errors in the inscriptions, given the many different clerical steps involved.[9]

Merchant seamen

Eligible Merchant seamen and officers were entitled to British War Medal and the Mercantile Marine Medal. There are Medal Index Cards available in the National Archives series BT 351/1/1, BT 351/1/2 and MT 9/1404. Refer Research Guides, above for a Search facility. Relevant records may be downloaded for a fee.

Members of the Indian Mercantile Marine were also eligible for the above medals[10], but it seems probable these medals were issued by the Government of India, and do not appear in the National Archives records.

British Library records

As stated above, many of the medal rolls are reprinted in books on the open access shelves at the British Library.

Note: Use the British Library Archives and Manuscripts Search to access the following links.

Catalogue references are

  • Medal Rolls IOR/L/MIL/5/42-141 1799-1911 with links to the sub categories. (These records are those covered in the "Your Archives" link above, but the catalogue references are given again, as the accompanying information may be slightly different)

Additional to the catalogue references for Medal Rolls IOR/L/MIL/5/42-141 the following list contains both medal roll catalogue references and some catalogue references which do not specifically mention rolls but which may possibly contain medal rolls, listed (approximately) according to date of the military action.

  • Collection 257/4 Medal rolls of men of Tennasserim or Suakin 1884 operations. IOR/L/MIL/7/11202 1888-1889
  • Collection 274/25 Egyptian Medal granted by Khedive: medal rolls. IOR/L/MIL/7/12730 1897-1901
  • Collection 274/31 Soudan Medal 1898: grant of to Indian contingent at Suakin 1896. IOR/L/MIL/7/12735 1899-1900
  • Grant of medal for operations in British Central Africa 1894-1898, Army Order 135 of 1899. IOR/L/MIL/7/14412 1899
  • Collection 132/101 Delhi Durbar 1911 medal rolls: replacement of lost medals, claims for issue of medal. IOR/L/MIL/7/5864 1911-1922
  • First World War
    • Collection 425/1596 Medal rolls for 1914-1915 Star. IOR/L/MIL/7/18841 1919-1920
    • Collection 403/68 Minor operations on North West Frontier 1914-1915: operations on or beyond frontiers of India to be regarded as part of First World War for award of 1914-1915 Star. IOR/L/MIL/7/16888 1915-1919
    • IOR/L/MIL/17/5/2414: Roll of rewards and promotions to officers and men of the Indian Army and departments serving in the various expeditionary forces in France (A), Egypt (E), the Mediterranean (G), East Africa (B), Mesopotamia (D), and in operations in the Persian Gulf, at Muscat, Aden, Somaliland, in China, and on the north-west and north-east frontiers of India, notified in the London and India Gazettes. Marginally noted. 5th & 6th edns 1916. 2 vols.
IOR/L/PS/20/H143 1917. Roll of rewards and promotions of officers and men of the Indian Army and departments, and of Royal Artillery and Royal Engineer officers and men attached to Indian units, serving in the undermentioned forces:- France (A) East Africa, including Cameroons (B) Mesopotamia (D) Egypt, including Sudan (E) Gallipoli, including Salonica (G) Indian Frontier Indian area, including Aden, Perim, Somaliland, Gulf of Oman, and China Up to and including "London Gazette" dated 11th May 1917 and "Indian Gazette" dated 3rd February 1917 [?London: India Office, 8th edn, 1917].
IOR/L/MIL/14/237-238. War Rewards to the Indian Army, 1915-1921. Printed roll of rewards and promotions appearing in the London Gazette and Gazette of India.
IOR/L/MIL/17/5/2416. List of awards granted to Indian officers, non-commissioned officers & men & followers of the Indian Army & Imperial Service Troops etc, in all theatres during the Great War. Simla: AG's Branch, 1923 (478 pages)
IOR/L/MIL/17/5/2417. List of honours awarded to the Indian Army August 1914 to August 1921. Calcutta: AG in India for Indian War Memorial Committee, 1931. This List is available online (note spelling in actual title is List of Honors), and was also the basis for a reprint edition, (with some amendments), refer below.
  • Records of the British Administration in Aden, 1839-1967: IOR/R/20/A/5014 - File 73 British War Medal & Mercantile Marine War Medal. It is not known whether this is general correspondence or includes a list of names.
  • Report on operations of Bushire Field Force April 1918 to March 1919, and recommendations for rewards. IOR/L/MIL/7/18931 1919-1920
  • Collection 425/1602 Honours and rewards for minor operations May 1919 to April 1920 (North West Frontier, Persia, Aden). IOR/L/MIL/7/18847 1919-1921
  • Collection 89/97 Grant of India General Service Medal with Waziristan 1919-21 or Mahsud 1919-20 clasps to Royal Air Force personnel. IOR/L/MIL/7/4052 1922
  • Collection 89/96 Rewards for services in connection with Malabar operations (Moplah) of 1921-1922. IOR/L/MIL/7/4051 1921-1927
  • Collection 89/102 Grant of India General Service Medal with Waziristan 1921-24 clasp to Royal Air Force personnel. IOR/L/MIL/7/4056 1925-1926
  • Collection 89/119 General Service Medal rolls. IOR/L/MIL/7/4074 1923-1928
  • Collection 89/94 Part 1 Award of India General Service Medal for Afghan operations. IOR/L/MIL/7/4048 1920-1925
  • Collection 89/94 Part 2 Award of India General Service Medal for Afghan operations. IOR/L/MIL/7/4049 1922-1927
  • Collection 89/109 Grant of medal for operations ("disturbances") on North West Frontier 1930-31 and Burma 1930-31. IOR/L/MIL/7/4064 1930-1945
  • Collection 89/112 Grant of war medal and clasp for Mohmand (Peshawar) operations of 1933. IOR/L/MIL/7/4067 1933-1935
  • Collection 403/136 Recommendations for awards and "mentions" in despatches in connection with Burma rebellion. IOR/L/MIL/7/16963 1932-1933.
  • Collection 403/146 Part 1 Waziristan operations 1936-1937: recommendations for awards. IOR/L/MIL/7/16974 1937-1938
  • Collection 403/146 Part 2 Waziristan operations 1937-1938: recommendations for awards. IOR/L/MIL/7/16975 1939-1940
  • File 201/40 Con. General Service Medal for operations in the Aden Protectorate IOR/R/20/C/953 Jan 1940-Feb 1940
  • List of recipients in India of the Imperial Service Medal, 1924-1941. Calcutta, Delhi, 1925-41 IOR/V/25/72/2 1925-1941 Annual. Lacking 1936, 1940

The Gazette of India, 1864-1947, and other Government Gazettes IOR/V/11 may be a possible source of information. For some online editions, see Gazette of India online.

Medal Rolls for Indian Native Troops

The information in respect of Medal Rolls IOR/L/MIL/5/42-141 1799-1911 states that the names of Indian recipients rarely appear (except, however, in L/MIL/5/87-103). These latter records are detailed Your Archives - Medal Rolls in the India Office Library, which also lists a few entries such as L/MIL/5/60 Nominal rolls of Indian Army native troops. 1870-1878.

The National Archives, Kew medal roll WO 100/99 China, refer above, contains some Indian Officers of the 24th Punjabis, and even some Indian soldiers.[11]

For details of some medals awarded to Indian troops in the Boer War, see External links below.

Publications containing Medal Rolls etc

  • Published works: British & Commonwealth Orders Decorations and Medals northeastmedals.co.uk
  • The Delhi Durbar 1903: A Complete Roll and Index of Recipients by Peter Duckers and Ian McInnes, was published in 2002 by Jade Publishing Ltd. ISBN-10: 190073401X ISBN-13: 9781900734011
  • The Delhi Durbar Medal 1911 to the British Army compiled by Peter Duckers was published c 1999 and is available at the British Library UIN: BLL01008137354
  • Honours and Awards Indian Army 1914 – 1921. Facsimile reprint JB Hayward & Son, London 1979 and 1986, (the latter is stated to include some amendments made by the publisher), originally published in 1931 in Calcutta as Roll of Honour Indian Army 1914-1921. The original publication is probably that available at the British Library under the title List of honors awarded to the Indian Army August 1914 to August 1921, published 1931. The latter 1931 publication is available online, refer Historical books online, below.
  • Indian Order Of Merit Historical Records 1837 - 1947 Volume One 1837 – 1860 by Cliff Parrett and Sqn Ldr Rana TS Chhina (Retd) is published in India. "There are two substantial nominal indexes. The first lists 2,700 Indian officers and other ranks of the H.E.I.C. Army, the majority of these being recipients of the I.O.M. The second lists over 900 British officers and other ranks, and civilians, who were somehow or other involved in I.O.M. actions" This book is available at the British Library UIN: BLL01015684795
  • Reward of Valor: The Indian Order of Merit, 1914-1918 by Peter Duckers was published in 2004 (first published 1999). The 1999 edition is available at the Imperial War Museum, London. However, see P P Hypher's 1927 book available online below, which includes content relating to the Indian Order of Merit, 1860-1925.
  • The Indian Distinguished Service Medal by Rana Chhina. Details: Hardcover: 359 pages Publisher: InvictaIndia (2001) ISBN-10: 8187642009 ISBN-13: 978-8187642008 "The definitive study …which contains a detailed list of all those who were awarded the medal". [12] Available at the British Library.
  • Egypt 1882: dispatches, casualties, awards by Peter Duckers. Published by Spink, c 2001. Available at the British Library UIN: BLL01012386029
  • The Whitewash Brigade: The Hong Kong Plague of 1894 by J.J. Platt, M.E. Jones and A.K. Platt. Published by Dix Noonan Webb, 1998. Available at the British Library UIN: BLL01011169014
  • Taku Forts 1900 by Colin Narbeth. Also titled Admiral Seymour's expedition & Taku forts 1900. Chippenham : Picton Publishing, 1980. Available at the British Library UIN: BLL01011656137
  • North West Frontier 1908: The Zakka Khel and Mohmand Campaigns by Peter Duckers. Published by Spink & Son Ltd 2006. ISBN 10: 1902040716 ISBN 13: 9781902040714

Books currently available

Books currently available (November 2020) which have been noted:

External links

  • The Fee Paying Website "Ancestry" (allows a free search) now hosts
    • UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949, based on the National Archives records WO 100 "This database contains lists of more than 2.3 million officers, enlisted personnel and other individuals entitled to medals and awards commemorating their service in campaigns and battles for the British Army between 1793 and 1949". Note there are some known omissions[1], or names may be transcribed incorrectly. Campaigns in India are included - but not WWI or WWII medal and award rolls. WWI medal information is available in the following collections.
    • British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 Based on records from the Army Medal Office WWI Medal Index Cards. "The Medal Index Cards collection is the most complete listing of individuals who fought in the British Army in WWI, containing approximately 90% of soldiers’ names". Note. It is advised "Indian Army cards are not presently included in this database". It is believe the excluded cards may be restricted to those in the National Archives record series WO 372/25 to WO 372/29, and that Medal Index Cards for a limited number of Indian Army personnel are available ion Ancestry. However, an overriding factor is that some/most Indian Army personnel are not included in the National Archives records. There are also some accidental omissions.
    • UK, WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920. Based on the National Archives records WO 329. "The volumes in this series record the entitlement to medals and awards of men and women serving in some capacity during the First World War. Most pieces concern those serving in the Army". However there are other categories. Note: Silver War Badge records are in a separate dataset, following.
    • UK, Silver War Badge Records, 1914-1920 WO 329, 2958–3255. Awarded to military personnel who had been discharged because of wounds or illness. Available as both transcribed records and images. Also on Findmypast as transcribed records only.
    • UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Based on the National Archives records ADM 171. "The rolls include medals awarded for British campaigns and service in Europe, India, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and elsewhere during the height of the British Empire and into the 20th century. This database also includes medal rolls from the First and Second World Wars".
    • See later entry for the London Gazette.
  • findmypast. Fee paying website.
    • "Silver War Badge Roll 1914-1920", located under Armed forces & conflict/First World War. Transcriptions only. Images are available on Ancestry.
    • "Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards" located under Armed forces & conflict/Medal rolls and honours. A subcategory in this database is
      • "India Efficiency Medal Awards, 1930-1939 and India Volunteer Force Medal Awards, 1915-1939". The information for each transcript was extracted from the Indian Army Orders by Kevin Asplin. Although in a database titled Britain, these awards actually appear to be for the Indian Army.
    • See later entry for the London Gazette.
  • Anglo Boer War.com Select Forum- Main Forum- Medals and awards- Indian Contingent, for information about some of the Indian troops sent to South Africa, and the medals awarded.
  • Naval and Military Archive. A pay website associated with Naval and Military Press. Includes "Campaign Medal Rolls of the Great War", transcribed from National Archives Medal Rolls, for 1914 Star, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19, Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19. Silver War Badge records are also available. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  • Medal Roll for India General Service Medal with clasps 1919-1935: RAF personnel. Surnames A-Brymer only. Includes the Squadrons present. html version pdf version naval-military-press.com. Retrieved 9 August 2014
  • The [London] Gazette Official Public Record for the U.K. Free Search for gallantry awards for both officers and other soldiers. Search tips: include full stops after initials, and if the name includes an apostrophe, follow this by a space. [14]
Some data from the London Gazette is available online elsewhere, where the Search facilities may be easier to use (Free Search, pay to view) :
Ancestry includes the database "The London Gazette (London, England), 1825-1962" (located under Newspapers & Periodicals), but notes there are random gaps in this collection.
findmypast includes the database "The London Gazette, Supplements August 1914 - January 1920" (Located under Armed forces & conflict/Medal rolls and honours), which also includes promotions and Battle Despatches

Historical books online

  • Deeds of Valour Performed by Indian Officers and Soldiers during the period from 1860 to 1925 by P P Hypher, Army Department 1927 printed at Simla, is available on the FIBIS database as a series of many pdf files to download. Depending on your browser, you may need to locate the files in your downloads folder. Contents: The Indian Order of Merit 1860-1913 pages 1-178; IOM 1914-1925 p 230-491; The Victoria Cross p 179; The Military Cross p 187; Foreign Decorations p 210. Includes details of the actions which led to the awards.
There is a previous book Deeds of Valour of the Indian Soldier which won the Indian Order of Merit, during the period from 1837 to 1859 by PP Hypher 1925 (of which only 500 copies were printed.[15]) Available at the British Library, BLL01012490851 and the National Army Museum.
Also see Indian Army-Historical books online for online editions of India Army Orders which may contain additional listings of medal recipients.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 No longer accessible: almaboy. http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=12197#p64555 Another Crimea medal roll check Victorian Wars Forum 08 December 2017. Retrieved 09 December 2017.
  2. ↑ See the discussion in blackwell, peter et al. india generl service medal afghanistan 1919 Great War Forum 5 March 2019 et al. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. ↑ Chapter Six, last page British Military Medals: A Guide for the Collector and Family Historian by Peter Duckers. 2nd edition 2013 Google Books
  4. ↑ TEW. Lost, Stolen, or Strayed? Great War Forum 24 September 2020, two separate posts. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  5. ↑ MBrockway. Ancestry MIC dataset - where have all the Beards gone?! Great War Forum 15 February 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  6. ↑ charlie962 MIC indian army Lt J F Petrie North Waziristan Militia Great War Forum 20 March 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  7. ↑ aussienoel WO 329 Medal Rolls - Index Download Great War Forum 6 August 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  8. ↑ Upton, Andrew. 2nd Liutenant C.F.Moore - which unit? Great War Forum 13 January 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  9. ↑ Russ T. Serial numbers on the Medal Roll Index Card and Medal Rolls not the sa… Great War Forum 04 July 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  10. ↑ The Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914 – 1918 defence.gov.au
  11. ↑ Now no longer accessible: Cassandra. http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1087#p67359 Indian troops in the Boxer Rebellion, 1900 Victorian Wars Forum 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  12. ↑ Moreman, Tim Indian DSM Great War Forum 12 February 2014 Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  13. ↑ Johno7439. india generl service medal afghanistan 1919 Great War Forum 6 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  14. ↑ Guest (previously Martin G) et al. London Gazette Black Belts Great War Forum 19 February 2016 et al. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  15. ↑ DNW auction 7 December 2005

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