Returning 14--18 Medal.

Hi,
Not really sure if this is the right forum, but if not could a mod please select correct one.

My daughter in law has given me a WW1 campaign medal that her mother found on a street in Bangor, NI, some forty years ago, and was wondering if there is any way it could be returned to the original recipient`s relatives, or even if there is a chance of contacting them.
The medal is in a pretty poor state with the attachment bracket missing.However the name is clear, but is a bit strange in that it refers to a "Corporal" in the RA, where I thought the rank was "Bombardier".
The name on the circumference reads -- "22750 CPL P. HURLEY. R. A."


I know there were millions of these medals issued, but I would like to return it to its rightful place if possible, so any help or advice will be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Harry.

 

Royal Artillery Corporals are called Bombardiers, although until 1920 the Royal Artillery had Corporals and Bombardier was a lower rank. The rank of Second Corporal existed in the Royal Engineers and Army Ordnance Corps until 1920.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporal

msr

 

Thanks for that information,msr, but I`m not quite old enough to remember the change-over

 

His full name was Patrick Hurley, he served in the Royal Garrison Artillery (heavy guns, basically) and left the service as a Corporal. You can get further details here for a small payment of two quid:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=3172551&queryType=1&resultcount=1

Might take you a step forward in your search...

 

Go onto British Medal Forum, there is a NI Collector/Researcher on there who might be able to help

MM

 

.......or this chap ashley@larchfieldroad.co.uk might help. Ashley Tinson is the medal consultant for RBL.

 

Thanks to everyone for the help and advice.

I will be following up the suggestions tomorrow.

Cheers.

Harry