TOPIC:

I have recently found an article of a supposed ex-soldier who has gone onto using an alias whilst back in England and then commenced to impersonate as a servant to an officer to steal, before presenting himself as a recruit at a later date to receive a full uniform of the 5th Lancers. Then with the use of the uniform and awarding himself a Victoria Cross (VC) he has portrayed himself as a war hero to gain people's confidence.




I have also been able to locate a 4668 Private T. Powell on the Campaign Medal and Award Roll (WO100/113) for the 5th Dragoon Guards, which was signed off on the 2nd April 1902, see below. This Private is listed as invalided and has received no clasps.


I'm hoping maybe that Dave can use his research skills and FMP subscription to see if he can locate online a service record for this soldier Thomas Powell, as there has been so many twists and turns in this story that I would be surprised if this Private T. Powell was actually his correct name on enlistment, let alone the person in the news article.

Trev

I can't help with the man, Trev, but here's something about fake Victoria Crosses.
www.angloboerwar.com/forum/13-miscellany...medals-in-1900#71768

Hi Berenice,
Thanks for the link. I was looking at the alias angle of the story and now glad that you haven't already previously commented about this ex-soldier and his scam with the Victoria Cross. When you possibly have some time, could you please look for any relevant period newspaper articles on Thomas Powell to see if there are any more details that haven't been covered by this story.

If you do find a more detailed article, please add it to your previous post of Counterfeit Victoria Cross medals. I have just re-read the above news article and took notice that according to the police information that the VC was bought at Charing Cross.

Trev

Hi Trev

I have had a good trawl through records. However nothing has come up with regard to any service record for 4668 T Powell ref 5th Dragoon Guards. What I did find was a pension card. Interestingly it has a few leads with regard to other regimental numbers.
See image.



My interpretation is that 4668 and possibly 5302 /5502 relate to the Dragoon Guards.  21961 Durham Light Infantry and 260549 represents the Labour Corps.

Nothing related to 5302 / 5502 proved rewarding.
21961 DLI related to a William Hind who was a deserter.

 260549 pertained to a Leslie Buck Pacey who served in the Labour Corps

I also searched for Frank Butler related to the above numbers but no luck. All the 5th Dragoon Guards medal rolls have been checked and only one entry for T Powell which Trev posted. No information on his reasons for invalidity at present.

If Berenice can find any details on this chap in the newspaper archives relating to an address or where he might have lived or previous misdemeanours, we may have a chance of finding more information. I agree with Trev.....something very strange surrounding our Mr Powell!!!

Thanks Dave. Sounds like that plot thickens, looks like newspaper archives may be our only way forward from here. I've had no experience with researching by the use of Pension Cards, but what you have found does this mean that there could also be a link between the deserter William Hind or could we be talking about another alias. 

Trev

It's very possible Trev, I will have good look at the aliases, see if we get a lead.

Dave.....

Possible aliases? There might be other reasons. If not, this chap had quite a few name changes.