British Empire Medal Winner mystery

[Beckenham1]

I'm curious as to when and why a relative (Anne McGlennan Boyd) was awarded the BEM?

This is her tombstone in Oban:

Alexander Boyd
Died 21st Feb 1981
Aged 77 years
And his wife
Anne McGlennan,B.E.M.
Born abt 1912
Died 2nd June 1996
Aged 84

Previously the family thought it was McClennan, but then Scotlands People came up with this...

1942 BOYD ALEXANDER MCGLENNAN ANNE E M PERTH /PERTH 387/00 0169
1996 MCGLENNAN ANNE ELIZABETH, BOYD F 84 OBAN /ARGYLL AND BUTE 526/00 0104

The BEM was awarded to subjects of the UK between 1917 until 1992.

I've searched the London and Edinburgh Gazettes, the London Times and the Guardian without result.
I'm an amateur at searching these databases so? It’s perplexing. Any ideas?

Ever so grateful if you guys have...

Best regards
Jim

[Currie]

Hello Jim,

This looks like her birth on FreeBMD http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/search.pl

Births Jun 1912
McGlennan Annie E M, McEven, Orsett 4a1196

Orsett district is in Essex and there are several siblings etc as well either side of Annie. The mothers name is down as McEven, McEwen and McEwan

More about that family is available from the 1911 census site, the mother appears to be Jessie. SP has a marriage 1904 MCGLENNAN JOHN MCEWEN JESSIE ANN STANLEY/PERTH393/0B 0009

So could her full name actually have been Annie Elizabeth McEwen McGlennan? The award would possibly be in her full official name at the time of the award although you can’t be sure about that and whether they have substituted initials. She married relatively late in life and had time to make a name for herself before then. Do you know what her occupation was at marriage and subsequently, if any, and if it was of the sort that may attract an award?

It was most likely awarded at a time of mass awards i.e. King’s or Queen’s Birthday or New Years Honours, or something like that, and was just one in a list of many and given very little attention in the main newspapers but worth a story in the local papers. Ancestry has a card index for newspaper notices, was that for Perth? Possibly even one for the marriage may have something.

As far as the Gazettes go, here’s an example of 1944 civil awards to married women and you’ll see how they can jumble their names as compared to the men. The single women often appear as Miss http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36717/pages/4437

They seem to be still using the same technique in 1995 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/ ... lements/15

Searching for Mrs Boyd as a phrase only gives 24 results but I couldn’t see anything obvious there, maybe they would be worth a closer look. You could also try searching for Miss Anne Elizabeth as a phrase, also try Annie. I didn’t have any luck.

Any chance she may have remarried and received it later in life under another name?

All I could come up with was ideas, but hope they’re useful.

All the best,
Alan

[Alan SHARP]

Greetings.

You are talking fairly recent history here. Have you had a search for "local" coverage re an obit., or found an undertaker from a death notice or local authority, and contacted them for any address, for service, held by them ? Is there a stone masons name with the inscription, who could be contacted ?

Alan SHARP.

[Beckenham1]

Very intersesting, I know that her husband Alex born in Oban, has Perthshire McEwan's in his background; his Great Grand mother b1821, d 1896.

His father was born in Perthshire too. The Boyd's and McEwans maintained links throughout the period in both the Perthshire and Glasgow branches. Not that I would know but, I had always thought the Oban branch was lost to them till now. Mmm...

Unfortunately I cant access "local" coverage re an obit (though I'll try), and have only seen a photo of the stone. The family has effectively lost contact with Oban. My side at least.

Best regards
Jim

[Alan SHARP]

Hi again Jim.

I'm even further away than you, but I'm sure there will be someone who is local, or has local contacts, that they can call upon to help you. Some times the local history section of local libraries are very helpful as well.

Alan.

[Rockford]

Hi Jim,

I'm not as far away as the others , but still not close enough to help first hand.

A good starting point might be the Libraries Service at Argyll and Bute Council, with details here: http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/community ... d-archives

The local paper for the area would be the Oban Times: http://www.obantimes.co.uk/

I can't vouch for either, but hope they might be able to help.

Best wishes

Brian

[Alan SHARP]

Greetings again Jim.

I've sent a PM message to someone who has previously done research in the area through a contact. Perhaps they can offer advice.

Alan SHARP.

[joette]

I was speaking to somebody at the FHC yesterday(what a gold mine I hit for my friend) & he had a family connection who had a MBE or similar.
I wish I had asked him for the tel no he called for info but he said it connected him to Buckingham Palace in the first instance.
Hope you get the information you need & I record usual information when it comes up.

[Beckenham1]

More on my mystery B.E.M. winner

Taken from The Oban Times, Thursday 6th June 1996.

DEATHS

Boyd – Peacefully at Lorn and Islands District and General Hospital, Oban, <after 1960>in her 85th year. Anne Boyd, B.E.M., <address and menion of relatives removed> Unfortunately the Times itself is poor on past history. It doesn’t seem to have a 10/15 25 etc page, which is surprising.

The hunt continues...

[Currie]

Hello Jim,

It’s annoying when you know it has to be in the Gazette somewhere but still can’t be found.

There appears to be an entry on Genes Reunited for this lady.

Don’t give up the ship,
Alan