CSM Albert Miners 2nd RWF: why only an MM 1916?

[quail]

Warrant Officers Class II and Distinctions.

I am after a little help please, from those who can shine light into a puzzling corner. I am looking for examples of anomalous awards to WO IIs.
At various times, Warrant Officers Class II [created 28 Jan 1915, and primarily CSMs of infantry and equivalent] were eligible for the award of DCM, MC and/ or MM.

First I should state my assumption, which is that the date of the action/actions/ Mention, taken with the substantive rank of the soldier, should determine the available menu for awards. This is in distinction from the date of the London Gazette, often much later and often after a substantive promotion or commission or death.

Taken from the Royal Warrants, a WO II could gain:
A DCM from 28 Jan 1915
A DCM or MC from 6 June 1916
A DCM, MC or MM from 16 Aug 1918.

An anomaly:
CSM Albert Miners 5575, RWF. MM. LG. 10 October 1916. Promoted substantive WO II 23 Jun 1916. The action for the MID was 20/21 July 1916 High Wood. The LG October 1916 was well after he was posted Missing [later presumed dead] on 20 Jul 1916. Only decorations possible under Warrants were DCM or MC [the latter was possible because Miners was a WO II after 6 Jun 1916 and before his death]. Details from my files.

Albert Miners's MM is doubly puzzling because another CSM WO II of the same unit, Frederick Powell, was mentioned in the Bn war diary for distinguished service on the 21st Jul 1916, and awarded the MC. Powell MC Citation LG 22 Sep 1916: For conspicuous gallantry in action. When all the company officers had fallen he took command and led his company under heavy fire with great skill and courage. He also rallied men of other units when the enemy counter attacked.

I cannot fathom why Albert was awarded "only" an MM. [From his private correspondence, he was about to be commissioned when he was killed]. RIP Albert.

[ap1]

"WHEREAS We are desirous of signifying Our appreciation of acts of gallantry and devotion to duty performed by non-commissioned officers and men of Our Army in the Field We do by these Presents for Us Our heirs and successors institute and create a silver medal to be awarded to non-commissioned officers and men for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the Field:"

Hi Quail,

I'm no expert, but reading the opening lines of the Royal Warrant. I wonder if it was an error of interpretation of the medals criteria, which started at the point of recommendation within the unit (2RWF) and was not picked up on as it passed up the chain of command. The recommender believing the CSM's actions warranted a MM rather than a DCM? The error further compounded as the recipient had been killed. A one-off….human error amongst the 1000s of awards?

Also it was during the Somme Campaign, which must have severely stretched all facets of the military machine. Did 2 RWF lose their CO during this phase, which might also account how it got passed up without anyone identifying the mistake.

Incidentally what did CSM Miners do to gain the award?

[quail]

ap1: thank you. I think you may well be correct, after all CSMs had not long before been "non-commissioned officers". Being a MM, there is no citation in the public domain. Regarding leadership and indeed losses in the relevant period, it was, compared with many units, lucky.

Capt WH Stanway DSO and Bar, MC 8 Jun 16 13 Jun 16 [Stanway was himself a C-Sgt CSM as the war began so would be well aware of the improvement in status that followed].
Lt-Col CHR Crawshay DSO 14 Jun 16 25 Jan 17 Wounded

Many thanks again