Mentioned In Despatches - Help finding the citation

I have a relative researching her father's war time records and would like to obtain a copy of the MID given to Charles Irving Kennedy. We believe he was serving in Italy with the Carleton and York Regiment as part of the 3rd Bridgade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division. Rank was either Lieutenant or Captain.

On the awards document accompanying his service records, there is registration number 6336. Awards page has file #332-31-124.
The other reference number is 362745 ( 31-10-45 ).

Any help would greatly appreciated.

Cheers from the colony

 

Its not listed online with the National Archives. I would check the units war diary or regimental history if one exists.

 

Andy, thanks for checking. I will see if something is available via the war diary.

Randy

 

Hi Randy,

You might also want to check The Times to see Charles turns up in that....

Cheers
Tom

 

I have just checked the Canadian Library and Archives site, being from a Canadian Unit it may be located in this file: HONOURS & AWARDS & SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS - MENTION IN DESPATCHES CASF, which covers 1943 - 1949.

Don't know if you are nearby or if you know someone who can look for you, location is:
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4
CANADA.

Mark

 

It`s listed in The London Gazette `For Services in Italy`
Gazette Issue 37151 published on the 26 June 1945.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 28 JUNE, 1945
Canadian Infantry Corps
Lt. Charles Irving KENNEDY,

Viewing Page 3386 of Issue 37151


Best Wishes
Jim

 

Mark, thanks for the link to the Archives. I think this is best left with a researcher as one would need a PHD to navigate the website. I entered the name, the regiment etc and came up with blanks yet his war records show he was awarded a MID.

Cheers
Randy

 

It`s listed in The London Gazette `For Services in Italy`
Gazette Issue 37151 published on the 26 June 1945.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 28 JUNE, 1945
Canadian Infantry Corps
Lt. Charles Irving KENNEDY,

Viewing Page 3386 of Issue 37151


Best Wishes
Jim

Jim,
Huge thanks. Would the same source outline the details of the MID?

Cheers
Randy

 

Mark, thanks for the link to the Archives. I think this is best left with a researcher as one would need a PHD to navigate the website. I entered the name, the regiment etc and came up with blanks yet his war records show he was awarded a MID.

Cheers
Randy

Unfortanately Randy, that appears to be the case with most Government Websites - unless it is to pay for something.

Good luck with the research.

Mark

 

Jim,
Huge thanks. Would the same source outline the details of the MID?

Cheers
Randy


Afraid not,The London Gazette simply announces the award like Andy has said theres no mention of the award on the National Archive site,very few MiD`s actually have surviving recommendations but I`ve hit lucky once or twice by searching other names announced on the same day and stumbling upon the person I`ve been looking for?A long shot but if you have the time?


Best Wishes

Jim

 

Jim,
I am not that familiar with the London Gazette and so the workings of same are a mystery. When you say stumbling upon the person...does the Gazette post alphabetically on certain dates?

Again, thanks for the original PDF file...

Cheers
Randy

 

Jim,
I am not that familiar with the London Gazette and so the workings of same are a mystery. When you say stumbling upon the person...does the Gazette post alphabetically on certain dates?

Again, thanks for the original PDF file...

Cheers
Randy

The link which I posted has the names of all those awarded a MiD announced on the same day as Kennedy try and cut and paste a few on the National Archives site and see if you get a match.If you do your man may be lurking in the same file.Remember though ,like I mentioned,very few survive even some of the announcements are hard to track down.Good Luck anyway


Best Wishes


Jim

 

Randy, the few times I have searched the London Gazette I have had zero results until I tried the advanced search (see Diane, dbf's post) and entered the full name in the 'exact words' box.
All resulting pages with entries should appear and it is a matter of searching the page for the name entered. It's a bit tedious as the name is not usually highlighted and the name can be under one of many headings eg promotions, awards etc. Well worth the effort though.

 

Diane, Mike, Jim,

Many thanks for all your help. I will investigate in more detail when the sun rises again.
I will hopefully find the citation and post accordingly.

Cheers from the colony,

Randy

 

Randy,

KENNEDY, Charles Irving, Lieutenant - Mention in Despatches - Infantry (Carleton and York Regiment) - awarded as per Canada Gazette and CARO/5718, both dated 26 May 1945.

From 'Courage and Service - Second World War Awards to Canadians'
J. Blatherwick and H. Halliday
Service Publications

To my knowledge, the authours did a pretty thorough search of the Canadian Archives, so I would guess there was no official citation.

The Canadian Gazette is available on line, but searching is a similar challenge.

I've had some success with RRR records at the Sask Archives, who hold the Regimental records. I found an Honours and Awards file that had copies of some official citations and many returned or unsubmitted cites. In a few cases, I have been able to guess at the one that links to an uncited MiD.

 

Kevin,

Many thanks for the lead. I will check the online version of the Canadian Gazette.

Cheers
Randy

 

Kevin, Mark, Jim, Diane, Andy

So, after 2 hours of poking around the various leads, I have come up with no cigar.
Perhaps there was just no record describing the action resulting in the MiD.

Many thanks for all the help.

Cheers
Randy

 

Have you checked the war diary? I've found more MiD recommendations than those listed in the WO 373 (Honours and Awards) file series is some diaries. If they exist they will be in appendices. Worse case scenario the actual diary may mention him by name in the actual action, especially with him being an officer. Failing that look for a regimental history book - The current one I'm reading (Kensington's) is easily as detailed as the units diaries-if not more so as it lists the circumstances of every member killed, you don't get that in war diaries.

 

Andy,
Good point. I will see about finding the war diary. If I ever do find the citation, I will make sure it gets posted here!

Thanks again for your help,
Randy