TOPIC:

I am trying to trace the Boer War record of 'S.G. Rattle. Merchant Marine'. The family have a QSA medal (with dates removed/wreath pointing to R and no clasps attached.)on a medal bar with three WW1 medals awarded to '8299 S.G. Rattle. R.Fus'.
Any help in tracing his ship, service dates etc would be very much appreciated.
denis484

Hi Dennis

A quick sortie into the Medal Rolls on Ancestry failed to throw up a mention of a SG Rattle in any context whatosever. (I note that he is Stanley G Rattle who is also entitled to a Silver Wound Badge)

These rolls are not, however, conclusive, but I must confess I have never heard of a Merchant Marine connection with the QSA.

Regards

Rory

Gentlemen.....

There is the Transport Medal of course but it was only awarded to ships officers....

What is the naming on the QSA the post is a bit confusing, were the WW1 trio named to Royal Fusiliers or are all 4 named the same way.......

Mike

Mike, Rory,

Thanks for that chaps.
The QSA medal is very clearly engraved with only 'S.G. Rattle. Merchant Marine.'
Britania is holding a wreath RH towards 'R'. Union Flag in LH with ship on horizon, shield behind and marching troops.
It is only the three WW1 medals that have '8299 S.G. Rasttle. R.Fus.
Stanley survived the war after spending some time in Lazarat V1 POW camp. Five months later moved to Stendal POW camp north of Berlin.
He was repatriated 6/2/1916.
I hope this helps to clear the smoke a bit.
Denis.

Hi Denis.....

It looks like he may have been a member of some ships crew who did runs to South Africa..... Only the officers got official medals and me may have been feeling left out, got hold of a QSA somewhere, had the official name removed and then engraved his own name.... I am not sure but is there a Mariners Union in the UK that you may be able to find out what ship or ships he served on? That is the route that I would take now....

Mike

Denis,

I think I'm with Rory on this one. While there is a man of the surname Rattle (initial H) who served on HMS Forte, I can't recall ever seeing a QSA named in this way.

Is there any chance you could upload a picture of the naming?

With thanks
David