A 'Hard as Granite' Aberdonian's Great War casualty pair with companion 'Silver War Badge' : Private James Hardie Royal Marines Labour Corps

- British War Medal. Silver issue (Deal 8179 -S- Pte. J. Hardie. R.M.)
- Interallied Victory Medal: (Deal 8179 -S- Pte. J. Hardie. R.M.)
- Silver War Badge: Reverse with pin & clasp fittings and numbered RN19473 (Awarded for Wounds)

Wounded-in-Action: Private John Hardie Royal Marine Labour Corps is confirmed having 'Wounded-in-Action', in France during September 1917 

An extremely scarce seen confirmed casualty medal pair to the RMLC

The Aberdeen Daily Journal issue of 18 September 1917, contained the below article pertaining to the service and wounding of Private James Hardie:

Quote,

Private James Hardie. R.M.L.E., (sic), whose home is at 81 Jute Street, has been wounded. Previous to enlisting he was employed by the Harbour Commissioners

Unquote.

Medals Verification:  All the Great War awards verified per cited sources:

- British War Medal. Silver issue: ADM 171/169
- Interallied Victory Medal: ADM 171/169
- Silver War Badge (RN19473): ADM 171/184.

The SWB roll shows him serving with Royal Marines Labour Corps and that his SWB (RN 19473) as issued on 27/02/1918

James Hardie was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, where he was born circa 1868. James attested for the Royal Marines at Aldershot, Hampshire, England, in 1916, his extant service record showing his age was 47 years of age at time of enlistment in the 'Deal Division'. His service record is extant and accessible at The National Archives ref file series WO ADM 157/3273/29 folios 390-399. Following his wounds received in action in France in 1917, James was invalided from the service sometime in 1918

The medals fitted with their original long bright lengths of silk 'moire' ribands. The riband each fitted with contemporary safety pins and as-worn by the recipient 

Royal Marines Labour Corps: The unit was formed on 2nd February 1917 to resolve the manpower needs created in French ports caused by the need to unload the vast amount of stores being shipped to support the British Expeditionary Force. Recruits were appealed for from all the major ports across the United Kingdom

Blumberg gives the number of those that served in French ports as 4,908.

Although never involved at the front line, the ports were frequently shelled and the RMLC suffered 25 men killed by enemy action, 14 more were killed in accidents and a further 95 x men died of disease or natural causes.

During the war the RMLC were awarded; 3 x OBEs; 1 x DSC; 7 x DSMs; 11 x MSM's (all 'Immediate') & 59 x 'Mentions-in-Despatches for service in France

A very scarce casualty group with a Silver War Badge to a Royal Marines Labour Corps casulalty

Condition: EF

Code: 25983