Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

British Empire Medal.
A friend has a King George the fifth British Empire Medal inscribed to Petty Officer Francis J. Milnes ,who was either her Great Uncle Or Her G.Grandfather she doesnt know which as they both had the same names.
The eldest Francis J. was born in 1877 and the younger in 1920. The awrd was for Meritorious Conduct, the ribbon is red with three grey stripes.
Does anyone know how to find when the medal was given and for what.?
An accompanying note was signed George R.

Have you tried the London Gazette its available to search on line just Google "London Gazette" and that will take you to the site. And where did they reside?

there is only 1 francis james milne listed on military records home town of willesden. died during WWI

Hi N.M
There's a birth as Chris said
1920 Francis J Milnes Prescot rego.

The elder Milnes was born St Helens.

It would have to be the elder as King George V died in 1936 after 25yrs on the throne.
(My Ma always called him "The Old King")

Tina

Does anyone know how to find when the medal was given and for what.?

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_Medal for history of the BEM.

Dickiesam

ran out of credits to see his military record

http://military-genealogy.com/

Thanks for replies so far, have had one go at the London Gazette with no luck. Will try again. It is the St. Helens father and son. Funny thing can only find elder Francis J. in the 1911 census. But his birth is registered Dec 1876 for Prescot.? I have also been told medals where only engraved on rim in first war not second. But this isnt a gallantry or campaign award its for meritorious conduct.
Thanks again.

Hi Chris,
As far as I know births in the St Helens area would probably been registered at Prescot up to 1935 when St Helens became a Registration District in its own right. Prescot ceased to be a District in 1974.

Dickiesam

Hi Chris

Found this on the National Archives site


The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) cards: catalogue reference WO 372/24

As far as I am aware they are not on Documents online.

found this on the London Gazette site which explains about the Medal

Have you got his Army number?

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/ ... ents/11311

Hi Chris
The maiden name for the 1920 birth is Isherwood.

Free BMD have a marriage entry in 1903, Prescot, 2 brides 2 grooms, Annie Isherwood & Francis James Milnes being listed.

Between 1910 & 1912 Francis James is listed with Annie 30
Ethel Annie 6, Edith Adelaide 5, Lillie 6 months.
Prescot rego area.
There's also a Lucy born 1912 maiden Isherwood.

Tina

Me again
Question for the crew, would it be worth a trip to the Maritime Museum as Francis was a Petty Officer, not sure if R.N or Merchant Navy.
Tks
Tina

Petty Officer is Royal Navy Records are at Kew. I looked up the history of the medal and according to Wikipeda The MSM did not get issed to Royal Navy till 1919

The BEM is quite different from the MSM, often awarded in New Year or Birthday Honours for long and faithful service, rather than a specific event, with civil and military categories.
D

Hi Katie,
Francis J.s Medal was inscribed with I presume his R.N. Number on edge 78872. One theory I have heard is that he may have been in Merchant Navy and when enrolled in R.N. was promoted to Petty Officer. But this is all conjecture. In a potted history on his 50th wedding anniversary there is no reference to any military/naval service.
cheers.

Hi all, Thanks for your help/suggestions I have found him. It was the younger Francis James Milnes. According to the London Gazette. Ist January 1946. The B.E.M.(Military Division) was awarded on the advice of His Majesty's Canadian Ministers, To FAA/FX 78872 Petty Officer Francis John Milnes. So it looks like they kept the King George V lay out even thought it was George VI's reign. FAA was presumably Fleet Air Arm, wonder what the FX stood for.
Cheers.

I am pretty sure that the FX was part of his official number, maybe relating to the Fleet Air Arm.
D

Look in the local paper there may be a picture of him announcing the award