How do you track down info on OBE

Phil Waterman · #1 18-04-10, 17:26

Hi All

Though not a direct relative I would like to track down information on Walter B. Beardesford-Redmann as I understand it he was awarded an OBE for his service in managing shipping out of the port of New York during the WWII.

I've tried over the years to track this information without success but with more information available through the web it is time to try again.

When I say not a direct relative Mr Redmann owned my HUP from 1946 until 1978 some 32 years. In talking with his daughter it seems the truck was always a part of the family as she was growing up, she learned to drive in it. I've now owned it for 31 years and the HUP has definitely been a member of my family. So related by or through a HUP.

More on the history I have http://www.canadianmilitarypattern.c...STHISTORY.html

Cheers Phil

Rick W · #2 18-04-10, 22:33

Have you tried doing a search online in the National Archives? Or using something like Ancestry? A great forum to use for researching relatives is Familytreeforum , very useful and usually very quick answers. Another place to try is the Mercantilemarine forum. Not a busy place but very useful.
Hope that helps.
Rick

servicepub (RIP) · #3 19-04-10, 06:00

The London Gazette is available on-line although I am told the search engine is challenging. However, the name is probably unique and may not pose any problem.
All official awards are published in the LG - there may even be a citation.

Clive_Dakers · #4 19-04-10, 19:11

If you still get stuck try asking on the British Medal Forum

Rick W · #5 20-04-10, 23:01

British medal forum is excellent. London Gazette is a nightmare to use, to put it mildly. I still cant work it out. There are a couple of experts on the BMF who will look up for you.

Phil Waterman · #6 21-04-10, 18:11

Hi All

Thanks for the suggestions I'll try all of them as soon as I have a moment and will let you know if I have luck or not.

Cheers Phil

r.morrison · #7 27-04-10, 22:31

Phil: As discussed on the phone a couple of weeks ago, if you email me what info you have, I'll have my neighbour look at it. If anyone can crack this safe...she can! rob.mor@shaw.ca......Robert

Phil Waterman · #8 28-04-10, 21:50

Hi Robert

I tried twice to send the info so let me know if e-mail comes through this time.

If not here is the biographical info I have -

Here is the info on the person who I’m trying to track down the OBE award information on, this is from my web site. 1946- Truck purchased as surplus by Walter B. Beardesford-Redmann who was a shipping executive with the Canard Lines in New York City. During the war he served as Director of Transport, Port of New York, for the British Ministry of Transport, he was awarded an OBE for his service. He purchased it for use on his farm/retirement home in up-state New York town of Salem. He later moved to Indian Head Farms, West Rupert, Vermont. The HUP was licensed for the road from '46 to '72 and was used by he and his family during that period accumulating approximately 25000 miles in 26 years. The only major repair was the replacement of a cracked cylinder head in 1960.
http://www.canadianmilitarypattern.c...STHISTORY.html

Cheers Phil

r.morrison · #9 02-05-10, 04:20

Hi Phil: Here's your May 1st update. I talked to my neighbour Patti today to see how she was making out and as usual, she's right onto it. Not good news from the get go! First of all, we can't find the gentleman's name anywhere within the USA. So that we need to clarify... the name, spelling and hopefully the young fellow who sold it to you didn't string you along! Secondly when it came to the O.B.E., there is no listing of your gentleman being awarded this medal! Are we sure he was awarded this medal or could it be another medal?? Thirdly, we have NOT checked the Cunard Line employees, which is our next step. And, as per your message, I am assuming you mean Cunard Line and not Canard Line (not Canadian). Sometimes we have to start at the back of the bus and work forward.
My neighbour has some very expensive stuff programmed into her computer that allows her to source info that the average person IE: this forum can't. She is an author, ghost writer and is known worldwide.
So as luck would have it, you've got the best on your side!!
I'll keep you informed as the news progresses, but double check your background info, just to be sure. We'll talk soon....Robert

Phil Waterman · #10 02-05-10, 15:15

The information about the OBE and name came from the Gentleman's daughter and his attorney. So the mistake must be in my spelling of the name and or misunderstanding of award. As I have some biographical information I'll take a different tack and go genealogical see if I can find my mistake.

Thanks for looking.

Cheers Phil