George Douglas Tester. M.M. RAMC

[High Wood]

Another research challenge completed. A framed photograph of a post Great War Warrant Officer serving in the RAMC. No name but a series of clues. He had to have the Military Medal, a 1914 Star and Clasp, served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and had a reason to have his photograph taken in Hove, Sussex. I had taken the photograph out of its frame to clean the glass but there were no clues on the back.

Luckily, the London Gazette lists the home town of D.C.M and M.M. winners and, after several hours trawling, I came up with the names of two RAMC soldiers who were entitled to wear the Military Medal who lived in Hove.

So here is 7089 Pte George Douglas Tester. M.M., born 15th July 1895, died September Quarter 1973. M.M. London Gazette: 13th March 1919. Page 3443.

I have, of course, realised that I should have photographed the picture before putting it back in its frame.

[leigh kitchen]

Well done, although not 100% conclusive I suppose
An LSGC at the end of his row? Could be listed on another MIC?
There could be a chance that he will feature in local newspapers with a photo as a MM winner?

[High Wood]

How very dare you! You are of course right, there is more to uncover.

[manchesters]

I am not altogether convinced.

The LG only started listing hometowns in September 1917, so there are a majority of awards prior to that the recipients of which's hometowns are not given.

Secondly Tester managed to get through the whole war without a single promotion, but the photo shows a WO1 in what I think is the 1920's.

I would have expected to see a progression through the ranks during the War, when opportunties were at their highest, yet he didnt advance even one rank.

sorry, but.....

regards

[leigh kitchen]

Sorry, it's force of habit, applying rigid standards of evidence (unless it benefits me not to, but I promise not to verbal you up if you'll cough to a few T.I..C.'s).

[High Wood]

Originally Posted by manchesters

I am not altogether convinced.

The LG only started listing hometowns in September 1917, so there are a majority of awards prior to that the recipients of which's hometowns are not given.

Secondly Tester managed to get through the whole war without a single promotion, but the photo shows a WO1 in what I think is the 1920's.

I would have expected to see a progression through the ranks during the War, when opportunties were at their highest, yet he didnt advance even one rank.

sorry, but.....

regards

The photograph dates to 1922 at the earliest as the Clasp & Roses were issued on the 17th June 1922. I think that the photograph has the look of either a newly promoted WO1 recording his new rank for posterity, or perhaps a soldier at the end of his career having a last photograph taken. As Leigh has already implied, the evidence is not yet conclusive.

[High Wood]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

Sorry, it's force of habit, applying rigid standards of evidence (unless it benefits me not to, but I promise not to verbal you up if you'll cough to a few T.I..C.'s).

Que?. What are T.I.C.'s?

[Hoot]

If the man in the photo is Tester and he enlisted in 1914 then the photo must date from no earlier than 1932. He wears the LSGCM which was awarded for 18 years unblemished service.

[High Wood]

According to FreeBMD, George Douglas Tester was born in 1895 making him 19 in 1914. He appears to be the only man of this name born in England & Wales. Now it gets stranger. The 1942 Army List has a Sgt George Douglas Tester, RAOC, being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Pioneer Corps. If this indeed the same man, he would have been 46 years old.

[High Wood]

Originally Posted by Hoot

If the man in the photo is Tester and he enlisted in 1914 then the photo must date from no earlier than 1932. He wears the LSGCM which was awarded for 18 years unblemished service.

This is the whole photograph, as you can see, the cut of the uniform is very different from that worn during the Great War. I would suggest mid-1930s.

[Hoot]

Originally Posted by High Wood

This is the whole photograph, as you can see, the cut of the uniform is very different from that worn during the Great War. I would suggest mid-1930s.

I would agree.

[High Wood]

I have now been in contact with George Tester's family and they have sent me a photograph of him in his Second World War uniform. George Douglas Tester's ribbon bar shows the M.M., 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal but has there is no sign of the L.S.& G.C. medal. Whilst there are similarities in the appearance of the man in both photographs, I think that I can rule him out.

[High Wood]

And now for the interesting bit.

I have managed to find a copy of the April 1928 Army List. In the section named Warrant Officers, Class 1 - Regimental. Royal Army Medical Corps there are three Serjeant-Majors listed as having the Military Medal.

Prince. W.C. Ritchie. H.A. and Lockwood J.W.

I can quickly discount Lockwood as the Army List is in error as M.M. should read M.S.M.. Secondly, he was entitled to a 1914/15 Star and not the 1914 Star and clasp.

[High Wood]

19320 T/WO1 Henry Alfred Ritchie of the 7th Field Ambulance is a strong candidate. WO1 on 27th November 1923 Entitled to the 1914 Star and Clasp. Military Medal L.G. 9th September 1916 but no record of the L.S. & G.C. Medal

[High Wood]

15288 William Charles Prince is the strongest candidate. 1914 Star and clasp. Military Medal, 3 Mentions in Dispatches, WO1 26th April 1921. L.S. & G.C.