Mystery Man? - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Mike · #1 22-11-11, 03:19 PM

I've been trying to match an MIC or Army list entry to this guy:

CAPT. H. WHITEMAN

see British War Medal below

thought it was going to be a breeze..

and....I've completely failed. I've done a search of the MIC's; 1917 Army List; Services of Military officers (1919); Indian Army List (Jan 1919).

Can anyone link this guy to some paperwork?

I'm currently struggling through the London Gazette, without much luck there either.

Bill A · #2 22-11-11, 03:45 PM

Commonwealth officer? Maybe he served in one of the Commonwealth nations.

peter4447 · #3 22-11-11, 03:54 PM

CWGC lists a Captain Harry Whiteman killed 1/4/1916. Age 37. Buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery (Nord).
Son of Thomas & Emma Whiteman. 22 Woodbridge Road, Knowle, Bristol.
Served Canadian Infantry. 10th Alberta Regiment.
Gives nationality as Canadian.

If this is the right man he was born 3/1/1881 Mountain Ash, Glamorgan.
Taken on strength of 10th Alberta when made Honorary Captain 20/6/1915.
Civilian occupation given as YMCA Secretary.

Canadian roll of honour lists his age as 35 and only the 1914-15 Star but I don't think this could have been issued without the BWM.

Peter4447

Mike · #4 22-11-11, 04:16 PM

Well I never ! why thank you Peter

I didn't even check the CWGC because this came in a mixed bag of stuff from a well known auction house that I subconsciously assumed would not let a casualty slip through.

I done so many searches of the British docs that its now highly likely you've found him.

(I guess I have to stand in the corner with my dunces hat on for a while now

)

peter4447 · #5 22-11-11, 04:32 PM

My pleasure Mike

If it is the right man it's a nice medal to have.

Peter

geezer#199 · #6 22-11-11, 11:28 PM

Just for the heck of it, I checked the British War Medal of my wife's grandfather's who served for Canada in WW 1 and it has more then just the name and rank. It has his number and C Inf as well.

Jack

Mike · #7 23-11-11, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezer#199

Just for the heck of it, I checked the British War Medal of my wife's grandfather's who served for Canada in WW 1 and it has more then just the name and rank. It has his number and C Inf as well.

Jack

Hi Jack, it's a quirk of WW1 Army officers' medals (British War Medals and Victory Medals, but not the stars) that the powers that be decided they would show rank only, no unit impressed.

shadow of doubt
Can someone confirm this is definitely the case with Canadian pairs to officers?

peter4447 · #8 23-11-11, 01:14 PM

Hi Mike
I noticed a BWM to a Canadian Chaplain on EBay which apparently is inscribed to: H.Capt F Williams. No unit given apparently on the medal itself.
There is a photo and other details of Harry Whiteman on the Western Front Association website - he is shown as Hon Captain Harry A Whiteman.
Also worth typing in: 'Captain Harry Whiteman YMCA' in your Google search engine which brings up a newspaper article under the heading: "Wonderful work done by...Major Birks tells of its great influences" and mentions a donation being given of 5000 dollars to build a hut in memory of Whiteman who, it appears, was acting as some sort of YMCA Chaplain amongst the troops. (Sorry but I am a total luddite when trying to link things!).
Although on the strength of the 10th Bn, if he was working for the YMCA, would probably explain why no unit shown on the medal, if in fact these were impressed on Canadian officers medals.
Regards
Peter

Bill A · #9 23-11-11, 02:25 PM

Great find Mike, and good work Peter. To the best of my knowledge, Canadian officers medals are not named to the regiment.

Mike · #10 23-11-11, 04:09 PM

Many thanks guys; and the photo of the officer is always the most inportant thing to add if you can find it, so thanks for that one too Peter.

Mike · #11 23-11-11, 08:37 PM

http://www.westernfrontassociation.c...-whiteman.html

I wonder why the Canadian Archives don't show officers' papers?

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/d...jn324i7k8jqg13

geezer#199 · #12 23-11-11, 08:47 PM

Just as an add on, my wife's grandfather, was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. All 3 of them have his number, rank, name and the unit he was with stamped on them.

Jack

Phillip Herring · #13 23-11-11, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

http://www.westernfrontassociation.c...-whiteman.html

I wonder why the Canadian Archives don't show officers' papers?

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/d...jn324i7k8jqg13

Officers' attestation papers are shown but if your man was YMCA, he may not have joined up the same way as a fighting soldier.

Phil

GriffMJ · #14 23-11-11, 11:29 PM

Wild stab in the dark Mike.........

2 Squadron RFC personnel and flight crews in France 1915
Lt. Whiteman Observer

http://www.apw.airwar1.org.uk/no2sqn.htm

Mike · #15 23-11-11, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GriffMJ

Wild stab in the dark Mike.........

2 Squadron RFC personnel and flight crews in France 1915
Lt. Whiteman Observer

http://www.apw.airwar1.org.uk/no2sqn.htm

Probably one of the two RFC Officer Whiteman's that have a medal card, but these show the wrong initials and/or rank, there is a Lt F.E.Whiteman RFC, and there is a 2 Lt. H.E. Whiteman killed in a flying accident with that rank in 1916.

RAF medals to officers also have 'RAF' impressed which is helpful - don't think this applies to RFC for those that never made it to the RAF formation if I recall correctly.