Corporal Thomas (Poppy) Griffen DCM MM
30576 1/4th Kings own Scottish Borderers
Lived at 101 Grey Street
Burnley Express 10th April 1918 - 13th April 1918 - 24th April 1918 - 11th June 1919 - 11th July 1919 - 11th July 1919


Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 3 September 1918.
Military Medal in the London Gazette of 23 April 1918.
Awarded the French Croix de Guerre .

The citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal published in the London Gazette reads, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After the camouflage covering of a shell dump had been set on fire by enemy shelling, he promptly removed the shells from the blazing material, thus averting an explosion. He behaved with great gallantry and promptitude."



MEN WHO SCORNED DANGER UNIQUE BURNLEY PRESENTATIONS EXPLOITS OF TRIPLE MEDALISTS. ( Burnley Express 11th June 1919)

The Military Medal was awarded for "Bravery in the field in Palestine on 13 November 1917. When all the battalion officers had been killed or wounded, this N.C.O. took charge of the remaining men, rallied them, and charged across 200 yards of open ground and captured a strong position held by a party of desperate Turks, assisted by three machine guns."

The Criox de Guerre was awarded in July 1918 in connection with the Somme operations. His certificate states "A French trooper was badly wounded, and Corporal Griffin carried him to safety under heavy machine gun barrage."

He enlisted on the 10 December 1915 and was discharged due to wounds on the 1 May 1919 at which time he received the Silver War Badge number B-210841.

"Thanks so much for detailing his military history. Quite a hero. I know that
because I have all his medals. My son Richard wears them (civvy style)
with pride on our annual ANZAC dawn service parade. They are well
looked-after. He was a wonderful grandfather to my sister and me; full
of fun and laughter.
We called him Poppy. He lived till nearly 100, passing away in his
99th year. I have always been proud that my parents gave me Burnley as
my middle name.

Poppy and Evelyn (nee Tomlinson?), with daughter Doris (my Mum), emigrated to Wellington, New Zealand I think in 1922"

“Helen and Graham” is my sister and me,
with Grandma and Poppy: Happy times.
(courtesy of Graham Burnley McBride)




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