A FINE & INTERESTING
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
&
1914-15 Star Trio
To:
113141 CPL. A. H. Green 187th (Special Gas Company) R.E.
& later
Lieut A.H. GREEN, 34 SQUADRON, ROYAL FLYING CORPS.
Alan Green was born on 30th March 1891,
Prior to the war he had been, among other things, a 'Fire Surveyor' with a Chemistry background. It is possible that he was born in India as at the early age of 16 he had worked in Calcutta during 1906, for The Bengal Engineering Co. Ltd, of 11, Clive Street, Calcutta and between July and December 1906 was living at 2 Wood Street, Calcutta. He then moved jobs to work for the Tea Garden Company of Messrs, Davenport and Co. also in Calcutta. (of which more later) He clearly returned to England some time after 1906 as he later studied at The University of London and in June 1910 aged 19 had attained a Second Division Matriculation Certificate in ENGLISH, MATHS, LATIN and CHEMISTRY !
He also held a further qualification in more advanced Maths and before enlistment in the R.E. in August 1915 he had also served for just 6 weeks with R.A.M.C (2nd.City of London Sanitary Co.(T) )
as 2410. Pte A.H.Green R.A.M.C.
He is then seen attesting as a Pioneer/Chemist (Specialist) at Chatham on 18th August 1915 and was quickly sent to France (no less than 12 days later) on 30th August 1915.
Clearly a man with a known and required talent and qualification.
MEDAL NAMING DETAILS
D.C.M. 113141 CPL. A. H. Green 187th/Co R.E.
1914-15 Star, 113141 CPL. A. H. Green, R.E.
War Medal, Lieut. A.H. Green.
Victory Medal Lieut. A.H. Green.
The 187th Company, Royal Engineers, was a Special Cloud Gas Operations Unit. The 187th supported the 9th Division at Loos, where the British used gas for the very first time in warfare.
( 1st Day, Battle of Loos, 25th September 1915 )
Alan Green's citation
(L.G. 14th Jan 1916)
"For conspicuous devotion to duty. Although suffering from a shrapnel wound in the head, he worked the whole of the night preceding the attack and set a fine example to those around him."
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND (R.E.)
Apparently the Germans found out that we, the enemy, were approaching their positions with gas cannisters and were releasing the contents. They then opened up with a large night artillery barrage during which Alan Green was badly wounded in the head.
(R.F.C.)
Alan Green later became a Cadet at the No.1 School of Aeronautics, Reading, and then being commissioned was subsequently attached to No.34 Squadron, ROYAL FLYING CORPS who operated the RE8 
as a Reconnaissance and Bombing aircraft in France and later in Italy.
He died of wounds received (*?) at 24 Casualty Clearing Station, while serving with 34 Squadron in Italy on 26th February 1918
(*currently researching these details)
He was initially buried at the British Cemetery, ISTRANA, Italy and was
later re-interred in the Giavera British Cemetery, Italy, where he now rests in peace with eternal honour.
( Alan Green is incorrectly shown as serving with 32 Squadron on CWG)
His headstone reads:
Lieutenant A. H. Green, D.C.M.
Royal Flying Corps
26th February 1918
Alan Herbert Green was the son of George William and Emily Green of 56 Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill, London, N.
He was just one month short of his 27 birthday when he gave his life for his country.
Lots of research including MIC, attestation copies etc and extensive copies from his National Archive officers' file and a photo of his headstone.
A very remarkable man with a very unusual military history.
COMING SOON RESEARCH CONTINUES...........