The Great War Medal Collectors' Companion - Vol II

I have mentioned this Howard Williamson's Great War Medal Collectors' Companion - Vol II on my Army Ancestry blog and I see today that Naval & Military Press are promoting this quite heavily. Howard has undertaken some mammoth research here and I collaborated with him on elements of this second volume. It's gratifying to see that both I and this blog, have been name-checked in the N&MP release (above). Click on the image above or the link to order this volume. I gather from the author that it is selling fast, so don't miss out.

This from Naval and Military Press:

The contents of Volume II are as follows: FIRST CHAPTER [Chapter 6] A STUDY OF THE REGIMENTAL NUMBERS OF THE BRITISH ARMY AND DOMINION FORCES DURING THE GREAT WAR [Awarded OMRS Silver Medal 2013] This incredible study comprises 200 pages packed with information on the regimental numbers and prefixes allocated to the Soldiers of the Great War.

For the section on Line Regiments, the Author collaborated closely with Paul Nixon, whose internet blog on Regimental Numbers provided much additional information to that compiled by the Author. The Territorial re-numberings of 1917 are all included, plus information on which number blocks were allocated to those in action on the First Day of The Somme.

The Sections on the Corps include:

ASC: All the prefixes shown with their number range are explained and the units employing them are identified. Labour Corps. The numbers for the Labour Companies and the Regiments to which they are affiliated plus a table linking regimental numbers and transfer details and dates.

RAMC: All Territorial re-numberings including refinements to include field ambulances plus notes on number blocks prior to TF renumbering.

RAOC: Prefixes and number ranges explained.

Military Police: Notes from Paul Nixon's blog on dates of enlistment.

RAVC: Notes on prefixes and numbers.

RA: Territorial re-numberings. Prefixes explained.

RE: Notes on all number bands including a refined version of the TF numberings, Tunnelling, Gas and other companies identified as associated with certain number blocks.

Tank Corps: Origins of personnel revealed plus number blocks to specific battalions.

Sections on AIF, CEF SA, NZEF. Regimental Numbers. An A to Z of Regimental Letter & Number Prefixes, covering all units including Navy and RND.

SECOND CHAPTER [Chapter 7] ABBREVIATIONS FOUND ON GREAT WAR CAMPAIGN MEDALS AND DOCUMENTS This 140 page Chapter is the result of 25 years work by the Author. Sources for the information include: Medals from private collections; Medals observed at the major London (and other) auctions; Medal Index Cards; Official Documents; eBay medal sales; plus information supplied by friends, medal dealers, and collectors. The study records not only the abbreviation as it appears on the medal and its interpretation, but also many useful annotations giving further information about the rank or unit.

Main contents are: British and Commonwealth Unit abbreviations. MIC abbreviations [Expanded from Vol I].British and Commonwealth Rank abbreviations. Rank & Unit abbreviations found on Documents. British Naval Rank and Unit abbreviations. Relative Ranks Army and Navy. Indian Ranks explained. Military appointments and ranks.

THIRD CHAPTER [Chapter 8] CORRIGENDA AND ADDENDA FROM VOLUME I
This section includes additional information on the following: The Wauchope Medal; Flat Back Suspensions on WW1 Stars; The Memorial Plaque additional notes; Manufacture of WWI Medals – a summary; Complete lists of proposed Battle Clasps for both the Army & Navy; Comrades of the Great War magazine; Jutland Medal, Lady Beatty; Annotated DCM Gazettes; Additions to 1.7.16 DCM Roll; Naming issues on Great War medals; also included are some revisions to tables in Vol I plus odd typographical errors corrected.

INDEX: A user friendly Index completes the book.

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