Macedonia - The British Side

Lost Skeleton

Lost Skeleton

Well-known member
From time to time, an Ersatz Pickelhaube or khaki corduroy Schirmmütze will appear on the collector market and be attributed to the Macedonian Front. In some instances, the item in question has no factual connection with Macedonia whatsoever, but the claim lends an exotic aura to the artifact and excites the imagination.

Not often does something emerge representing the Allied side of the campaign, which is why I value the following most highly. Some may recognize it as the Military Medal, instituted by Royal Warrant in 1916, and awarded to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men and women of the army for individual or collective acts of bravery in the field.

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This MM was awarded to Corporal Edward Joseph Dillion, who served with the 85th London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. The London F.A. was attached to the Surrey Yeomanry and served in France before moving to Macedonia in July 1916.

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Announcement of Dillon's MM appeared in Supplements to the London Gazette (26 April 1917) and Edinburgh Gazette (28 April 1917). Unfortunately, history does not recall the act of bravery for which Dillon was awarded the Military Medal as only officers received published citations. However, the date confirms it was related to action in Macedonia

In 1918, Dillon, now a Second Lieutenant, transferred to the newly created Royal Air Force, 7th Training Depot Station, where he died, aged twenty-three, on the 12th of April, presumably from an accident.

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2906042

It would be difficult to question the integrity of either the man or the medal.

Chas.
 
The MM ocasionally were awarded with a citation of action in the gazette.But after researcghing for some Canadian Families if the recipient
recieved his medal during a a majour action ,or when many were issued the MM would just have a date of issue .This also applies to processing the medal as he may have been nominated for a higher award but after review was awarded the MM .
That is a buetiful piece bravo on getting it.
MArk G
Would love to see some Brittish kit from that Campaign ie Wollsley pattern helmets . RND caps. from the brittish collectors.
 
zipperheads9 said:
The MM ocasionally were awarded with a citation of action in the gazette.
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Hi Mark:

Thanks for commenting on the MM. I was beginning to think I had posted a lead balloon. I'm afraid I disagree with you regarding the protocol for Military Medal announcements in the London Gazette. Of course, there would be a written C-in-C recommendation and mention for the award at the field level, but I have never seen a Military Medal citation in the Gazette. However, you needn't take my word for it:

http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/militarymedal.htm

Perhaps things were different in the Canada Gazette, but the online archives only extend as far back as 1998 (none too helpful). I have also attempted, in vain, to collect detailed information on 437623 Private George Lindsay 14/Quebec Rifles MM+Bar. I have his medal as well, but short of ordering Lindsay's file from the National Archives, there is nothing available without a fee.

Chas.
 
I thought being "Gazetted" was an honour in iteself and did not mean a bravery award? And what is the "Canada Gazette"?. I thought all Commonwealth were mentioned in the London Gazette? Clearly I know nothing about this, just curious.
 
Hi Tony:

The colloquialism "gazetted" can refer to any number of matters from promotions, to awards approved by the sovereign, to being mentioned in despatches.

You are quite correct about the Commonwealth receiving equal recognition in the London Gazette. However, Canada has published its own gazette for 165 years. When David Riddle and Donald Mitchell compiled The Military Cross Awarded to Members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force 1915-1921 they cross referenced citations printed in both gazettes for accuracy.

http://canadagazette.gc.ca/index-e.html

Erratum
Perhaps Mark was thinking of the Distinguished Conduct Medal when he mentioned other ranks citations. The DCM is second only to the VC in priority and announcements were published with corresponding citations (I didn't know this until today).

Chas.
 
During WW1 all Canadain and Cpmmenwealth Medals and Awards were issued By the Brittish Government .As the CEf fell under the BEF for the duration . The MM will be mentioned but it may not list all or any details to why it was issued . I have seen WW2 versions of this and a few WW1 versions . MM's were listed in the London Gazatte and were generally issued with the date of issue .
In a WFA meeting we discussed this as it is disconcerting to some members why some have a listing to why it was issued and some MM's were not . ie Aug 08 1918 for the Canadian Corps had a huge number of MM's and they were no listing of for why or where they where issued .
I till like yor macedonia MM it is one of the few I have seen .A freind had a collection to a man from Nova Scotia who one the DFC 1 of 6 issued prior to 1916 he flew in support of Allenby' s forces in the desert .
He moved to the city where i lived and i got to see his original DFC and a copy of the gazzette . In it he is reported to take on 4 enemy aircraft and shooting down 3 of the 4 the remaing aircraft fled . His name is Macllen ( I have to check the spelling of the name .
These areas are neat as very few medals or kit shows up to see .
I think the Gazzetting you are thinking of Tony is the Promotion of an Officer ,as Chas mentioned this would also be listed in the London Gazzette .
I have a link if you want to look up anything on the site
Hope that make sence
Mark
PS all medal citations were reviewed at a higher level than Battalion so the dates do not always jive with the action ,te DCm I was researching was issued on Dec 11th for an action Aug 08th 1918 .He was Nominated for a VC but all his original party were seriously wounded or killed and were not available for witnessing or filling of proper ststements the Brigade then put him iin for an immediate DCM ,the other part of the original party was awrded - Lt was an MC the L/cpl MM .. All 3 lived through the war Part of the VC process was to look at his record as he was awrded 2 metitourious citations 1 for Hill 70 and another for Passhendale .
 
Hi Mark:

At the risk of going off topic, I thought you would be interested in the Canadian MM and Bar I mentioned above. The photos are subpar (taken before I learned from Tony to move photographic operations outdoors), but will have to do for the present. In all my searching, I have located announcement only of the Bar in the Gazette, Edition Issue 31257, 28-March-1919, Page 4123).

If you could assist me more in locating further information on Pivate George Lindsay's MM, I would appreciate it greatly.

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Chas.
 
Un fortunately the Archives has decided to charge for the research .It should not be more than 40 CDN $ . I will see What I can find About the MM or Bar ,and Private Lindsay.
Mark
 
I have edited the posts above to remove the London Gazette links as they stretched the page outrageously. Furthermore, I sincerely doubt they, or this thread, were of interest to anyone outside of Mark and me. At least things look more manageable now.

Back to Pickelhauben!

Chas.
 
i may have a reference to one of the awards to Mr lindsays MM's There was a large raid by all the lewis gun sections on Arras in 1918 and it was just the Royal Montreal Regiment ,This is where My late friend won his Bar. It involved Lewis sections Trench Mortors and artillery . A large multi armed raid .I will see if his name is on that list .
Mark
 
Lost Skeleton said:
I have edited the posts above to remove the London Gazette links as they stretched the page outrageously. Furthermore, I sincerely doubt they, or this thread, were of interest to anyone outside of Mark and me. At least things look more manageable now.

Back to Pickelhauben!

Chas.
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Chas,
I also find them interesting. Being under WWI folder, I think that there could be items of interest like thisrom different countries. I could be wrong. Can the moderators clarify this for me?? I myself have a general interest in WWI.
Cheers,
Cliff
 
cliffn said:
I also find them interesting. Being under WWI folder, I think that there could be items of interest like thisrom different countries.
Click to expand...

That's could be because this was started as a Forum dedicated to Pickelhaubes.

I have a very large CEF and RFC collection, and I do not post here.

May I suggest you go to these forums Cliff, where the discussion is orientated to Commonwealth.
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/

http://www.cefresearch.com/phpBB2/index.php

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=100&f=56

I post my CEF and RFC there, and my Pickelhaubes here. Tony
 
Cliff was just stating it was nice to see something different once awhile. Your right Tony this was established as a site to PickleHaubes .Cliff Like myself belong to many of the forums you mentioned .BUT this forum covers a nice bunch of people and seems alot warmer than the others.
It is not like alot of people will be posting Medals galore here though it would not fall out of place . I saw no complaints in other categories when more than Haubes are brought into play .
Mark
 
Hi Cliff and Mark:

Tony has teased me about this before, but I don't mind. To echo what Mark wrote, pickelhaubes.com is a great place to share ideas and treasures; the exchanges are generally cordial and I have many friends here.

My collecting interests have always been eclectic, and what I like most about Commonwealth campaign and gallantry medals are the stories they tell us about the men who wore them. As much as I love helmets, I own only one which is both attributed and researched; the rest are all anonymous.

As long as there is a forum here called "WWI," I see no reason to limit the scope of its content. However, it is heartening to receive a bit of feedback.

Personally, I wish Tony would post some of his CEF and RFC collection here. It might attract new members who not only collect the Commonwealth, but also happen to possess a token Pickelhaube to share as well.

Earlier in the year, I met with a USN collector who pulled a beautiful M1891 Garde Regiment zu Fuß helmet out of the closet. The helmet was saved from a recent building demolition in Akron and wound up in a garage sale. The contractor who rescued the helmet from the wrecking ball left behind a trunk filled with uniforms. One can only speculate as to the potential. Surprises are everywhere.

Chas.
 
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