An Oustanding Artilleryman
Sergeant Charles Philip Hemsley MM Royal Garrison Artillery
Military Medal. 1914-15 Star. 1914-18 British War Medal. Victory Medal with MiD. Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45. Meritorious Service Medal (Army).
The Man Charles Philip Hemsley was born on 3rd June 1893 in Ruddington, Basford in Nottinghamshire, son of Samuel, a Bus Driver and Mary. He was one of nine children, Eliza A, George H, Richard, Jessie E, Harold M, Hilda M, Albert C and Ronald S. In 1901 the family were living at 191 Charles Street, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire. By 1911, Charles now aged 18, was working for a Rose Markham and her daughter Violet as a Domestic Footman at Tapton House in Chesterfield, together with a total of 12 other servants! Charles enlisted into the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner, service number 52984 and following the start of World War I entered France on 27th May 1915 as part of the 19th Siege Battery RGA. In the London Gazette of 12th June 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal as a Sergeant (Tunbridge Wells) having transferred to the 321st Siege Battery. Following the Armistice Charles was transferred to the Z Class Reserve on 16th March 1919 and later the same year on 3rd June was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Nottinghamshire). He may also have been awarded a Mention in Despatches, but this has not been confirmed. In addition to His Military & Meritorious Service Medals, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals. Philip re-enlisted for service during World War II, but it is not known in what capacity, and he was further awarded the Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. It is possible that Philip Married Ivy M Crook during the second quarter of 1946, aged 53. Philip died in the second quarter of 1969 aged 76 at Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
The Story The group of medals awarded to Charles Philip Hemsley were acquired from long serving Birmingham Medal Society member Paul Faber, at Hinckley Leisure Centre Antiques Fair during February 1992. They came with very limited research and sat within the collection until 20 years to the day, when coincidentally, ancestry.com was checked and some limited additional details uncovered allowing an albeit brief biography to be pieced together. Now a date of death has been established it may be possible to uncover extra detail in due course.
This group of medals is one I have only been able to find a minimal amount of detail on. They are in effect 'work in progress' as one day something additional may well be uncovered. Please feel free to contact me should you know of, or have any information on this man.
Medal Details:
- Military Medal: 52984 SJT: C.P.HEMSLEY. 321/SGE:BY: R.G.A.
- 1914-15 Star: 52984 GNR. C.P.HEMSLEY, R.G.A.
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 52984 SJT.C.P.HEMSLEY R.A.
- Victory Medal: 52984 SJT.C.P.HEMSLEY R.A.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Meritorious Service Medal: 52984 SJT C.P.HEMSLEY. R.G.A.
This page last updated 21 Jun 15