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  #1  
Old 05-09-21, 12:28 PM
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Default Suffolk Regiment Military Medal winner.

Sadly, there is no name or photographer's details on the reverse of this post card which might have helped identify him. It came with some other postcards from the Cambridge area.

There are some clues that may narrow down the identification possibilities.

He seems to be wearing the Cambs/Suffolk shoulder title (Westlake 871), which he says was worn by the 3/4th battalion, Suffolk Regiment before it was renumbered as the 2/4th in 1916 and again redesignated 4th (Reserve) battalion and eventually ended up as the Cambridge and Suffolk Reserve battalion.

It is unlikely that a soldier won the M.M. whilst serving with a reserve battalion but may have been transferred to one from a front line battalion.

The second clue appears to be the light blue triangle on his sleeve. There may be some artistic licence in a colourised photograph, but if anyone knows the significance of the blue triangle I would be pleased to know what it signifies.
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Old 05-09-21, 07:47 PM
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It looks as though he was at least a Corporal and possibly a Sergeant, the photo fades at the point of the second stripe, this could narrow it down as to who won an MM.

Rob
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Old 05-09-21, 08:32 PM
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He is a Sergeant but it probably a post award promotion.
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Old 05-09-21, 11:05 PM
mtrpltpara mtrpltpara is offline
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In the book, The Badges of Kitcheners Army by David Bilton, the blue triangle is shown for the 11th (Service) Battalion Cambridgeshire, also with a yellow strip of cloth worn under the shoulder title, which may be apparent in your photo??
An excellent book, recommended.
Regards,
Bill.
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Old 06-09-21, 07:12 AM
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Bill,

many thanks for the 11th battalion information, it was exactly what I was looking for.

Simon
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Old 06-09-21, 07:15 AM
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The MM winner in particular has a very full head of hair, strikes me as strange for a WWI era soldier.
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Old 06-09-21, 12:58 PM
Restrikes-ok Restrikes-ok is offline
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The lanyards interesting. Only seen a double one once and that was 'ours' (QARANC)
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Old 06-09-21, 03:14 PM
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I have found three possible candidates, but sadly the local papers do not show photographs of Military Medal recipients.

14444 Sgt Gillingham. William H. 11th Btn. (Cambridge).

325758 Sgt Hamps. Joseph F. 11th Btn. (Wimblington).

42695 Cpl (L/Sgt) Spurgeon. Percy C. 11th Btn. (Halstead).

All gazetted 17th June 1919.
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