Confusion with WWI medals

[MikeC1987]

I have a problem with a couple of WWI medals. The main problem is that the ranks don't match up to the records. We believe that the medals belong to two different soldiers, one called Private J. Forbes and the other Private J.F. Forbes (as written on the medals), because they have two different service numbers. The confusion comes firstly with the J. Forbes as it states Private on the medal but in the records I've seen on a few sites (including this one) is that he was a Lance Corporal, so was wondering how can they be different ranks? He reportedly died in 1917 so he didn't even see the end of the war. So if he was promoted and subsequently awarded the medal after the war (as it has both dates on it) surely it would have had Lance Corporal rather than Private. I know that many service numbers were duplicated but I haven't seen any other J. Forbes with that number.

[Peter Goodey]

I don't really think anyone can comment unless you post the details. There are dozens of men called J Forbes listed. Names, numbers,ranks and regiments please.

[MikeC1987]

Sorry but that's the problem even with the regiments as there's still quite a few J. Forbes'. But was asking on a more general basis.

But its two guys J. Forbes and J.F. Forbes. The J. Forbes (S/14737) is the only one that I can see on here and he's the one with the different ranks. On the Victory medal he's a Private J. Forbes in the Royal Highlanders and on here he's Lance Corporal John Forbes in the Royal Highlanders Black Watch. So didn't know how he could be both without it being a mistake somewhere or a huge coincidence that there are two J. Forbes' with the same duplicated service number. He died in 1917 so they should know what rank he was after the war had finished.

The other doesn't match on here, there's plenty of J. F. Forbes' but no service numbers, his number is S-15198 and also a Private in the Black Watch (his was on the British War Medal).

We think they may be brothers, or at least related in some way, as we have both medals and with the numbers being different but in the same regiment.

[simmo1]

Hi

In WW1 Lance Corporal was an appointment, not a rank. So if he was not promoted further, then when killed or at the end of his service his rank would revert to Private.
See - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_corporal
https://www.ckb.wa.gov.au/Your-Counci...y-Ranking.aspx
https://www.anzacsinfrance.com/ranks/
https://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/fo...owtopic=158448

Royal Highlanders are the Black Watch - https://www.1914-1918.net/blackwatch.htm

regards

Robert

[christanel]

In the - UK, WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls records - only available by licence to ancestry, a pay per view site, there is this.
James F Forbes
Rank - Private
Medals awarded - British War Medal and Victory Medal
Regiment - Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Regiment number - S/15198
Previous Units - 12/R.H. Pte. S/15198

[christanel]

From the CWGC site, and which you probably have
Lance Corporal John Forbes
Service No S/14737Died 10/06/1917Age 23
Born at Woodside, Aberdeen
Regiment/Service Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 12th Bn. transf. to (2419) 5th Coy. Labour Corps
Grave Reference 7. 3658. Aberdeen Grove Cemetery
Son of the late James Forbes.

[MikeC1987]

Hi thank you very much for the replies, have been very helpful. Is there a way of finding out if John and James F were brothers or related in some way, otherwise I can't explain why we would have both medals. Have looked on ancestry (a relatively new user) and have checked the usual things but I didn't know if there was anything more advanced that any pros might know to narrow them down, not exactly the most uncommon of names lol.

Thanks again for the help.
Mike