Nice to meet you, Frank and DJB. Thank you both very much for replying.
All of Douglas’ medals were stolen from my mother’s home, along with my Uncles and my mother’s jewelry in 2000. I’d seen Douglas’ medals before this, the Queen’s South Africa medal stood out being the most impressive. My cousin said he does have a ribbon but he doesn’t know which medal the ribbon belonged to.
Douglas’ actual birth was 13 Mar 1869 at 19 Constable Street in Dundee, Angus, an older brother was born in 1867 and his younger brother in 1871 all in Dundee. Douglas and his younger brother’s birth record, their surnames were misspelled as Mudie, but the correct spelling of his surname was Moodie, and how it was spelled on Douglas’ marriage and death certificates and the records of his father and older brother plus the later records of his younger brother. He always signed documents as Moodie, as did his children.
I suspect with the misspelling of his surname on his birth record he may not have had a birth record to provide when he enlisted. Douglas’ last residence was when he was 12 in 1881 was 4 Springhill in Dundee Angus, Forfarshire, by that time both his younger and older brother were no longer living at home.. I was told by the family he left home between 12-14 years of age to sign up with the military, I don't know which service army or navy, but thought it was navy but I haven't found a source. Being so young he may have fibbed about his age as being older. The military became his family, spending time back and forth from Army to Navy, up until he retired from the Navy in Victoria BC in 1912 before WW1.
I have one Royal Naval Reserve record in which he signed up in 10 Mar 1894 and retired in Victoria BC in 1912; that has his correct birth year as 1869; that would be more than 10 years; which was indicated in his WW1 attestation record.
I have two WW1 attestation papers, in both his birth year is incorrect as1872; it is him as it is the correct address in Victoria, BC., date of marriage and name of my grandmother and three of his children names and births are correct. What varies between the two attestation papers are the number of years of service.
The first attestation paper dated 4 Aug 1916: Active Militia: Gordon Highlanders of Canada ; Previous service 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch) 17 yrs; 50th G H of C 2 yrs
The second and later attestation paper, dated 14 Feb 1917: Black Watch 6 ½ years no 3722; RNR 10 years no 823U ; Gordon Highlanders Can no 341.
He was discharged due to Malaria, on that medical history it states he was previously treated for Malaria in Sept 1892 in the Military Hospital in Gibraltar (but it doesn’t indicate with what service).
I don’t know why the number of years in the 42 Highlanders (Black Watch) varied, unless it only indicated his most recent service or it was because of the different dates of birth. His R.N.R .service began in 1894 and ended in 1912, therefore he couldn’t have been in the R.N.R .when he was treated for Malaria in Sept 1892 in Gibraltar .
Would there be a 2nd attestation paper when he was transferred from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Engineers inland waters as a sapper as he was given another number?
My aunt who told me he was involved in a minor war, I don’t remember if she said it was before or after the Boer War nor do I know what she meant by a minor war but likely a campaign. Both my aunt and mom, also told me Douglas had surgery on his feet, the hospital where it was done was destroyed by the enemy and surgeon who did the surgery was killed. I suspect this may have been before WW1, as it was noted on his physical when he signed up he had very flat feet. The man at that time wore size 13 shores but was only 5’5”.
Would a man’s service number change if he were to leave his army unit for the navy then return to his previous unit in the army? He went back and forth between R.N.R .and army, seemingly army during conflicts and the R.N.R. during non combat years. I do know he was involved in the Boer War from his immediate family, his extended families descendants and from the Victoria Historical Society. His military history has been difficult to find, likely as his birth year for WW1 is incorrect and switching services. He likely fibbed about his age for WW1 as he tried to do so at age 70 for WW2, ( he was extremely loyal to the UK and the military).
Was there any indication of an address or location of the two Douglas Moodie 6003 or 1771 as I recall something to do with his medals arriving at a later date?
Thank you again for all the information,
Franceyne
