Further to my post about
sailors who were awarded the
Military General Service Medal I checked out how many battles/actions were recognised for both the Naval
and the Military GSM's.
There were just four:
Martinique - 24 Feb 1809
Guadaloupe - 6 Feb 1810
Java - Aug 1811
St Sebastian - 9 Sep 1813
I noticed that we have just passed the 200th anniversary of Martinique.
There is more information here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Martinique (click here then the 1809 battle)
You will see that there is various mention of sailors on the island itself e.g.
Quote:
For nine days, the British soldiers and sailors of the expeditionary force constructed gun batteries and trenches around the fort, bringing ashore large quantities of supplies and equipment in readiness for a lengthy siege.
But I wonder what 6 of the sailors did that they received the
Military GSM.
They were:
Lt Wilson B Bigland - HMS Pompee
Edwin Richards (Master's Mate) - HMS Pompee
Scott James (Master's Mate) - HMS Pompee
Lt Thomas Burdwood - HMS Belleisle
Chas S Jackson (Vol 1st Class) - HMS Captain
William Wells (AB) - HMS Amarathe
And I wonder if there was any perceived seniority of the MGSM over the NGSM?
MB