TOPIC:

Hello from South Africa
Could anyone tell me please under what circumstances Charles McKinley received his DCM.
He was with the 1st Btn Manchester Regiment with number 1908.
Thanks
Audrey
Rhino Research

Hello Audrey

Abbott doesn't give the circumstances of the award but does state that he received his DCM from the King at St James's Palace 25/7/1901 which may offer another avenue for your research.

Regards

David

Thanks very much David
Audrey

Hi Audrey
One of the rare cases where a DCM was awarded without any form of recommendation or MiD published in the London Gazette.
I checked the original Submission to the King, dated 18 April 1901, which only contains names without Regimental Numbers or any form of recommendation. He is listed as Private McKinlay. In the LG of 19 April 1901 his DCM is gazetted as 1908 Private McKinlay. The medal was presented by the King at St James's Palace on 25 July 1901.
I could not find reference to a Regimental History covering the whole of the Boer War
Henk

Hello Audrey

As a lowly Private I believe his DCM would be for combat, or at least "in the face of the enemy", and not "good service" as many DCMs were which went to senior NCOs. What clasps did he earn? Any service papers?

Regards
Meurig

Thanks Meurig and Henk and David of course
This query came from a man whose great grandad was Charles McKinley.
He knows he fought in the Boer War (I found his QSA roll which has the Defence of Ladysmith clasp) but he is "trying to get his medals into a museum as he achieved a DCM for his duties."
Evidently the museum needs to know why he achieved the medal.

David: Can you tell me please what the Abbott publication is?
Did you do a publication on the Defence of Ladysmith where he might be found??

I will pass on the info you have given me.
As far as I know, he doesn't have any service papers for him. He didn't know he was in the Manchester Regiment.
Audrey