The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject: Archibald Cameron (T.F. Medal)

Name: CAMERON, ARCHIBALD
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Date of Death: 16/09/1916
Service No: 1701
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 15 B.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL: 30.09.1916
ABERFELDY

Intimation has been received by Mr and Mrs Cameron, Home Farm, Castle Menzies, Aberfeldy, that their son, Private Archie Cameron, Cameron Highlanders, a boy of only 19 years of age, was killed in action on the 16th of this month. Private Cameron went to the front only a short time ago. He joined the Territorials at Kingussie some time before war broke out, and previous to being called up was a clerk at Dalwhinnie Station.
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I looked at Archie Cameron's MIC and it showed he was awarded the T.F. Medal, which is the first time I have seen this on a card. I've had a look at the internet but can't quite get my head round the qualifying details. Can someone explain please.
If he didn't qualify for the 1914 or 14-15 star and had 4 years service in the T.F force prior to the start of the Great War, given his age, he would have to have been 13/14 when he was in the T.F. - Is that right ?

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Mark

This is the least common of war medals. Anyone who recieved it cannot hold either of the Stars. Your man must have been a T.F. member on 4th August 1914 and volunteered for service overseas before 30th Sept 1914. He will not have gone overseas before 1916.

He was probably held back due to his age since. 19 was the minimum age for overseas although many younger than this did go early on. Maybe his parents took action to stop him going out.

Obviously come his birthday he goes to France in 1916 and is killed in Sept.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk