Post by Administrator on Aug 23, 2013 23:42:51 GMT
This letter from The Times of Sept. 24th, 1919 indicates that there might have been 1914-15 Stars awarded to YMCA members:
The 1914-15 Star.
To the Editor of the Times
Sir,- The announcement made this morning that the War Office has decided that the 1914-15 Star is to be granted to all those in the Y.M.C.A. who served overseas between August, 1914, and December, 1915, will, I think, be the last straw as far as the Merchant Service is concerned. The Admiralty has, from the very commencement, flatly refused to grant this decoration to the Merchant Service – except as regards those who were serving under special naval engagements at that time – and this decision has caused extremely bitter feeling. No one wishes to take away from the splendid work accomplished by the Y.M.C.A. during the war, but surely there is no comparison between it and the services of the Merchant Services, I think it is generally agreed, victory would have been impossible, and yet a much coveted decoration such as this is refused to men of the Merchant Service who, in those day particularly, had to meet the enemy at sea, in the large majority of cases unarmed, and yet remained un-daunted.
The Imperial Merchant Service Guild, as representing the captains and officers, took this matter up with the authorities from the very first, and latterly the Seafarers’ Joint Council, as representing all ranks of merchant seafarers, have been dealing with it, but the Admiralty remains adamant in their decision not to grant the decoration.
I trust that you will give this letter the hospitality of your columns, as we feel that the public ought to know the treatment which the Merchant Service is receiving in this matter.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
G.B. SAY, Chief Assistant Secretary,
Imperial Merchant Service Guild
The Arcade, Lord-street, Liverpool, Sept. 20
LINK
The 1914-15 Star.
To the Editor of the Times
Sir,- The announcement made this morning that the War Office has decided that the 1914-15 Star is to be granted to all those in the Y.M.C.A. who served overseas between August, 1914, and December, 1915, will, I think, be the last straw as far as the Merchant Service is concerned. The Admiralty has, from the very commencement, flatly refused to grant this decoration to the Merchant Service – except as regards those who were serving under special naval engagements at that time – and this decision has caused extremely bitter feeling. No one wishes to take away from the splendid work accomplished by the Y.M.C.A. during the war, but surely there is no comparison between it and the services of the Merchant Services, I think it is generally agreed, victory would have been impossible, and yet a much coveted decoration such as this is refused to men of the Merchant Service who, in those day particularly, had to meet the enemy at sea, in the large majority of cases unarmed, and yet remained un-daunted.
The Imperial Merchant Service Guild, as representing the captains and officers, took this matter up with the authorities from the very first, and latterly the Seafarers’ Joint Council, as representing all ranks of merchant seafarers, have been dealing with it, but the Admiralty remains adamant in their decision not to grant the decoration.
I trust that you will give this letter the hospitality of your columns, as we feel that the public ought to know the treatment which the Merchant Service is receiving in this matter.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
G.B. SAY, Chief Assistant Secretary,
Imperial Merchant Service Guild
The Arcade, Lord-street, Liverpool, Sept. 20
LINK