Orders, Decorations and Medals

Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (12 Sjt. A. Michelson, I. of C.O.T.C.) good very fine £80-100

Alfred Michelson was born in the Parish of Edgbaston, Birmingham, in 1876. He was educated privately and at Highgate School. He first attested for the 3rd Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps (Highgate School Cadet Corps) on 29 May 1893 but resigned, probably on leaving school in December 1893. He then re-enlisted into the 14th Middlesex (Inns of Court) Volunteer Rifle Corps on 16 February 1900.

On 1 April 1908 he re-enlisted into the Territorial Force, joining the 27th Battalion The London Regiment (Inns of Court Training Corps) at Lincoln’s Inn, London. Promoted to Serjeant in April 1910, he was awarded the T.F.E.M. by Army Order 107 of April 1912. In July the same year he was promoted to Colour Serjeant.

On 8 September 1914 Colour-Serjeant Michelson was discharged from the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps in consequence of being appointed to a commission as an interpreter. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 27 September 1914 and was posted to the B.E.F., being attached to the 59th Scinde Regiment. He returned to the U.K. in November 1914 but re-joined the B.E.F. in May 1915. In July 1915 he was attached to Indian Corps H.Q. and in November was attached to 11th Corps H.Q. in command of the Labour Corps.

In March 1916 2nd Lieutenant Michelson was transferred to the Intelligence Corps and was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1916. He again returned to the U.K. in October 1916 and on 12 January 1917 he was promoted to Temporary Captain and appointed an Intelligence Officer on the Staff as Garrison Intelligence Officer Chatham. He re-joined the Intelligence Corps in France on 12 September 1918 and was promoted Captain in November 1918. After 1920 Michelson was appointed to the Reserve of Officers. For his war service he was awarded the 1914 Star with clasp and British War and Victory Medals.

With copied service papers and other research.