British Medal Cards from National Archives

peter benn · 29 June 2007, 01:48 PM

On the WW I Medal Cards as viewed from the National Archives, is the enlistee's name in the top left of the card written by the enlistee (a signature) or written by the enlisting officer (an entry)?

Doc · 30 June 2007, 01:33 AM

I believe it was simply entered by a clerk-- However, the definitive answer to this question will be obtained if you post it on http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/ These guys are the real experts in historical research on UK soldiers. Doc

Grovetown · 4 July 2007, 04:09 AM

Hi Peter

The short answer is neither.

The Medal Rolls Index, known as the Medal Index Cards (MIC), was created by the Army Medal Office (AMO) - now the Defence Medal Office - towards the end of the First World War. The index was created to enable the AMO to place on one card, all of the details about an individual's medal entitlement, their rank or ranks, the unit or units they served in, the first operational theatre they served in and most importantly, the original AMO medal roll references. These medal rolls (held in WO 329 at the National Archices) show the entitlement to the medals and also provide all of the accounting references for the issuing of the medal or medals. There is also a seperate index for gallantry awards.

Best wishes,

Grovetown.