Grandfather's medals from India

[maidofkent]

I'm trying to find information on my Grandfather's medals that were awarded to him for service in India between 1908 and 1914.
I think it is know as a Brailey Medal, it's bronze with a blue ribbon.
Can anyone tell me what it would have been awarded for?

[scully]

Hi,

I think the medal you may be referring to is a bravery Medal which was bronze with a blue ribbon. This was issued by the Royal Humane Society and was awarded to those who have put their own lives at risk to save or attempt to save someone else. The awards granted for these acts of bravery include bronze and silver medals and Testimonials on Vellum or Parchment.

You will find some information and details of this medal on this website. On the home page of this website you will see a section with a link to information about the Royal Humane Society medal with a photo of the medal and details of Worcestershire Regiment men who were granted this award.

What was the name of your grandfather and which battion did he serve in?

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)

[maidofkent]

Hi Louis,

Thanks for your reply. I have had a look at the Humane Society website and unfortunatly that isn't the correct medal. Family stories state that it was something to do with being the best shot in the batallion or regiment, not sure how true this is though.

My grandfather was Pte William Thomas Comber 9518. On the 1911 census he was in the 4th batallion then I'm not sure which batallion he is in as on his medal record he joined WW1 on the 27th August 1914. As far as I can see the 4th joined in 1916.

In 1915 he was transfered to the Ox & Bucks 21304 until 1919 and the back to the Worcesters on 15th March 1919 where he was stationed in India. I'm not sure what batallion or why.

If you can find any information I would be grateful.

Kind regards

Di

[LarsA]

Hi, his Medal Index card says he was 2nd battalion in august 1914. Is the bronze medal shaped like a cross?

ATB,
Lars

[maidofkent]

Hi
Thanks for the information,

I have spoken to an older member of the family who seems to think the medal is called The Bronze Medal? or the Du Barailly Medal?
but still not sure what it was awarded for, he thinks it was a army wide competion for sharp shooting?

It's a round bronze medal, like a indian fighting shield,on the face of the medal around a raised boss are action figures in classical fighting posses,
the back is engraved with my grandfathers name.

regards
Di

[simonh]

Maid of Kent,

I hope it's OK to revive an old thread. I'm looking for stuff on 29th Foot in India and came across your query.

There is a place in India called Bareilly. It is possible the regiment were stationed there. (An ancestor of mine "quelled a rebellion" there in 1815!).

HTH

Simon H.

[dcox]

Hi Simon
thanks for your information I'm still trying to find out what the medal was awarded for

Thanks
Di

[corona]

Not the medal you were asking about but your Grandfather did receive the silver 1911 King George V's Delhi Durbar Medal
Regards
Corona

[allanp]

Hi Di

I have some information that you may be interested in about William in 1914.

I have found these entries in the Worcester Herald and the Bromsgrove Messenger.

31st October 1914 edition
Wounded
Admitted 3rd London General Hospital Wandsworth Common
9518 Pte W Comber

7th November 1914 edition of Bromsgrove Messenger
Wounded
9518 Pte W. Comber

Obviously the Messenger was slightly behind in its reporting.

Regards Allan

[peter]

Hi Di,

Sorry I can't help with your medal query but I would appreciate some help regarding your Grandfather.

I have compiled a data base for the men (just over 1600 names) of the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment that sailed to France/Belgium between August and November 1914 (The 'Old Contemptibles).

Your Grandfathers service records must have been destroyed during the second world war (have been unable to trace them on Ancestry) and the only information I have regarding Private 9518 William Comber is the information from his Medal Index Cards (3 cards 3 different spellings, Comber, Coomber and Cumber, although I now know from your posting his full name, William Thomas Comber).

If you could supply me with any further information (date of birth, parents names etc.) it would be a great help in making the the data base as complete as possible for every individual 2nd Battalion soldier (see my posting on WW1 section of this forum).

Regards

Peter