Manchester Pals-Prefix number question

[coldstreamer20]

Hi Pals,Just a general question,would the Manchester Pals  have  the battalion number prefix number       on their medals,many thanks,regards,Paul.

[Atherton]

Gallantry awards yes, the usual trios no, I do have a 1915 star that was a replacement in the late 1920's and that has a prefix 19/

[Tim Bell]

We are really fortunate that the M/Chr Battalion prefix was used very regularly (on other records), which helps identify men from given Battalions.  My family example of a Star doesn't have the 17/ prefix and I don't remember the BWM and VM having this either.
T

[timberman]

Tim and Sphinx,

I have remove the last two posts.
If you wish to have a disagreement
do it via the PM route and not on the
open forum.

Thank you

Timberman

[Tim Bell]

Courtesy Geoff and his engine...

001    ATKINSON   JC   17/8050   17TH BN    28/01/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
002    BAGSHAWE   GH   17/8432   17TH BN    28/01/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
003    BARLOW   JH   17/8389   17TH BN    15/03/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
004    BIRCHALL   H   17/8439   17TH BN    10/07/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
005    BLAKELEY   F   17/8079   17TH BN    23/04/1917   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
006    COPSEY   H   17/8487   17TH BN    13/05/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
007    DAVIDSON   JC   17/8512   17TH BN    29/02/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
008    FITZPATRICK   J   17/8142   17TH BN    29/02/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
009    FODEN   H   17/8563   D COY, 17TH BN    05/05/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
010    FROST   R   17/8553   17TH BN    29/02/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
011    GIBBONS   A   17/31257   17TH BN    15/03/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
012    GOSLING   FH   17/8568   17TH BN    01/07/1918   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
013    MITCHELL   A   17/8241   D COY 17TH BN    12/10/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
014    MULLIGAN   J   17/43246   17TH BN    18/10/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT
015    WHATMOUGH   F   17/8959   17TH BN    02/06/1916   MANCHESTER REGIMENT

[Atherton]

I based my answer on the fact that I am a medal collector, I am the custodian of 30+ groups of Manchester Pals medals, that is over 100 medals and only one of them a 1914-15 star what was a late replacement has a battalion number on it. So based on my own collection less than 1% of Manchester Pals medals have a prefix battalion number.

[Atherton]

Medal Index Card for Copsey showing the medals would of been numbered without a prefix.

Sorry MIC removed as it infringes copyright

[timberman]

Hi Paul

Not a reply for the Pals medals

but.

I have a trio for a 2nd Bn soldier.
No prefix number on the British or Victory medals
just name and Regiment.
On the back of the 1914 star
name, number and 2/MANCH:R

As Atherton say's the answer looks like no
and may-be was only put on the 1914 star.

Someone else may be able to answer that?

Timberman

[Tim Bell]

Medal Index Card for Copsey showing the medals would of been numbered without a prefix.

Hi Wayne,
I have very limited knowledge on medals and wasn't seeking to contradict your information.  My single example of a Star confirms your point that there is no prefix.  I thought I'd read something that said the exact text was copied from the card to the medal but this isn't quite the case as 'My' MIC says "17th Bn Manch. R." and the Star just says "Manch:R."   The rest of the red (star) text is the same.

What I was trying to add in relation to the context of the original question was that many other records include the Battalion prefix. This seems to be more prevalent for the Pals Battalions, especially the 17th.  Examples of the 17/ prefix include some CWGC records (See Suzanne Extension record), corresponding grave stones, some Medal Citations and text in Publications.  I find this helpful when identifying a particular man's Battalion.
Cheers
Tim

Edit to include Star photo that I've learned how to compress.

[sphinx]

Hi Paul

Not a reply for the Pals medals

but.

I have a trio for a 2nd Bn soldier.
No prefix number on the British or Victory medals
just name and Regiment.
On the back of the 1914 star
name, number and 2/MANCH:R

As Atherton say's the answer looks like no
and may-be was only put on the 1914 star.

Someone else may be able to answer that?

Timberman

Yes,  that is correct 1914 Stars have a Battalion number on them.

regards

[coldstreamer20]

Hi Pals,Many thanks to all of the members  for their posts,regards Paul.

[timberman]

Thanks for the reply Sphinx

Timberman