The medal card on Ancestry shows that Pte 12242 Sidney O GRINDLE was awarded the Victory and British War medals. There is no Correspondence information on the card. The Service Medal and Award Rolls give the same information but record him as a Lance Corporal in the 7th Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment.

BNA Gloucester Journal - Saturday 13 May 1911

Littledean Petty Sessions

Martha Grindle, widow, Causeway, Littledean, was summoned to recover £1 4s. arrears under an order dated 10th June. 1910, in respect of her son, Sidney Grindle, who was sent by the magistrates to the Cardiff and Barry Industrial School.

Hi Mike, thanks for looking up the Medal Card. I'm sure you also tried to find Sidney's Army Records, and like me have found they aren't available anymore, presumably amongst those lost during WW2 bombing.

The Cardiff & Barry Industrial School is a new subject to me, so I thought I'd look it up. It appears to be a "workhouse" specifically for pauper children, which gave the inmates basic education plus taught trades intended to help them find employment in later life. For girls this included housework, needlework and laundrywork; for boys tailoring, shoemaking & carpentry. Cardiff had such an Industrial school in Ely from 1862 to 1903. I guess that the Cardiff & Barry School was a relatively new replacement when Sidney was there from 1910 ?
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Cardiff/

In fact the Cardiff & Barry School was originally a "Short Term / Truant" Industrial School, certified in 1899 for 120 boys, but became an ordinary Industrial School in May 1910. From 1933 it became Bryn-y-don or Brynydon Approved School for 120 children. It was at Dinas Powis in the Vale of Glamorgan, south-west of Cardiff towards Barry. This comes from an excellent site I'd not seen before which details Industrial & Reformatory Schools all across England and Wales.
http://missing-ancestors.com/index.html

More detailed info and modern photos of the School here. The School finally closed in 1996, it appears the buildings are still intact.
http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/CardiffIT/

BNA Gloucester Journal - Saturday 13 May 1911

Littledean Petty Sessions

Martha Grindle, widow, Causeway, Littledean, was summoned to recover £1 4s. arrears under an order dated 10th June. 1910, in respect of her son, Sidney Grindle, who was sent by the magistrates to the Cardiff and Barry Industrial School. Defendant wrote saying she had no means, and she saw nothing before her but the Workhouse.—Supt. Griffin stated the facts, and the usual order was made.

BNA Gloucester Citizen - Saturday 28 September 1907

Sidney Grindle, a boy of Littledean Hill, wae summoned for assaulting Archibald Davies. another boy of the same place, on the 23rd September.—John Grindle, George Bevan, and William Bevan, colliers, Littledean Hill, were summoned for using threats toward Rhoda Davies. —The complainant in the first case said when he had finished work he went out and saw Grindle, who challenged to fight four of them. He afterwards got witness down on the road, knocked him in the eye with his fist, and "scruffed" him. Witness did the best he could against the boy, who was younger than witness. Sidney Meek said he was outside in the road, and all once there was a scuffle amongst the boys. He took it to be his duty to part them, which he did. It was a fair fight.—Jesse Brain corroborated.—Defendant said he just pushed against complainant, who "had his hair off." He threatened to choke witness and kill his pigeons. Witness then knocked him down. —This case was dismissed.— The other case was then proceeded with.— Rhoda Davies said on the day named the boys came up into her garden, using very bad language. Bevan said, "I am W. B. Bevan, the champion boxer; bring thee son Tom out here; I can give him enough". The two other defendants also used bad language.—Bevan said he would be able to prove that he was in bed at the time which the row was alleged to have occurred namely, nine o'clock. —William James Gabb, collier, Littledean Hill, said the defendants were going to " fight the road." Defendants said they would " make a box o' cold meat “ of him. of Mrs. Davies.— Edward Bassett, collier. Littledean Hill, said heard defendants using very bad language to Mrs. Davies. One of the defendants said to Mrs. Davies,” Bring your ***** son Tom out here; I'll make a box o cold meat of him." They were flinging stones at Mrs. Davies.—Alfred Bowkett. collier; Harriet Goode, wife George Goode; and George Davies, complainant's husband, corroborated, the latter saying that Grindle called his wife “ a ***** old brown jug."— Bevan was sworn. He said he went to take the other defendants parts. He did not see Mrs. Davies that evening.—Emily Bevan, mother of the last witness, said her son was in bed at nine o clock, he came home earlier than usual that evening.— Defendants were each bound over in £5 for six months and ordered to pay £2 0s. 6d. costs.

Hi

I am the granddaughter of Sidney O Grindle, my father was Albert Ronald Grindle who was known as Ron. Dad gave me a picture of my grandad in his uniform but I know very little about him. If anyone could send me information about my grandfather I would appreciate it greatly. I understand he won the Victoria medal but know none of the details.

Sandra Johnson nee Grindle.

Hi Sandra, welcome to the forum.
When you say "Victoria Medal" I presume you believe this to be a Medal awarded during service in the Army, presumably the Glosters ?. Sorry to ask but there were "Victoria Medals" awarded in many other walks of life too. The most obvious one pertaining to war service is the Victoria Cross, which was the highest possible honour to receive, so a very rare award indeed. In this instance I'd have expected Sidney to have been mentioned in the old newspapers etc, and perhaps listed here, but it seems not ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloucestershire_Regiment#Victoria_Crosses

Is it possible he was awarded the "Victory Medal", which was a lesser (yet still admirable and very cherished !) award relating to Campaign Service in WW1 ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Medal_(United_Kingdom)

The Medals that Sidney (or any other British soldier) were awarded should be tracable from his Medal Index Card, which is available to view on various websites. As we have his Service Number it should be easy to find, the best place to search is Ancestry as that gives images of both sides of the Card, whereas the National Archives only has the front (which is usually the only side containing info). Infortunately my Ancestry Subscription has lapsed otherwise I'd gladly look it up for you and send you the image, perhaps another forum member could please have a look ?
Failing this Ancestry can be accessed for free at most British public libraries, just take a memory stick or similar to download the image. Alternatively the actual Card may be viewed at the National Archives in Kew, London. Their website has helpful guides eg http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/british-mili...

I've just searched the National Archives site and found him straight away, clearly Sidney Grindle is not a common name (often we have to "guess" which card from several pssibles relates to our intended man !).
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/british-army...

Their site states,

Reference: WO 372/8/163701
Description:
Medal card of Grindle, Sidney O
Corps Regiment No Rank
Gloucestershire Regiment 12242 Private
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew

Thankfully this info matches that posted by Slowhands earlier in this thread, his Army Service Number is key to researching him further.
For £3.50 an image of the Card's front/main face can be downloaded, and thus obtain more info abput his service and the Medals he was awarded. Personally I recommend you use Ancestry for this.

Ancestry also carries images of the detailed Service Records for British soldiers, however only about 2/3s still exist as several were lost during WW2. I'm afraid I must be off now as very busy here, hopefully another forum member might be able to please search for him, otherwise I'll try and have a look later today.

Finally for now, probably the best website for help in researching WW1 is the Long Trail site, here's their page about British Medals.
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/how-to-research-a-soldier/campaign-medal-record...

1911 Census, Causeway, Cinderford (living in 4 rooms)

Martha GRINDLE - 52 Widow, born Alvestcott, Oxon
William FENNELL - boarder - 29 - Coal Hower, born Yorkley
Sydney GRINDLE - son - 14 - Hauling (underground) born Cinderford
John PELL - Grandson - 3 - born London.

--

Looking at British Newspapers on line - there are about 4+ articles (if you search for Sidney GRINDLE).....

As I don't subscribe, can just reach brief outlines : from 1907 til 1911 - some talk of his widow mother Martha

and include

1907 GloucesterJournal District & Parish Intelligence

defendent would sent for one month;s hard labour. Sidney GRINDLE a boy of Littledean Hill, was summoned for assaulting Archibald DAVIES, another boy of the same place - on the 23 September - John GRINDLE, George BEVAN and William BEVAN, Colliers, Littledean.

etc etc

Probate

GRINDLE Sidney Oliver of 1 Redding Lane, Littledean Gloucestershire died 16 November 1945 at The Royal Infirmary Gloucester.
Administration: Gloucester 9 May to Florence May GRINDLE widow. Effects: £245. 6s 6d

Electoral Register

1919:/1920 Sidney Oliver GRINDLE, Forest of Dean, Morse Road, Drybrook
1919: Martha Mary Ann GRINDLE, Ruardean Hill, Drybrook

1925 : Sidney Oliver GRINDLE, Ruardean Hill, Drybrook

1930: Sidney Oliver GRINDLE - 13 Newtown Cinderford
1930: Florence May GRINDLE - 13 Newtown Cinderford

1935: Sidney Oliver GRINDLE and Florence May are at Reddings Lane, Littledean

1947: Ivor GRINDLE - 1 Redding Lane, Littledean and Sidney O

1950: GRINDLE, Florence M, Kenneth I, Peggy B - William C : 1 Redding Lane

I am the granddaughter of Sidney O Grindle, my father was Albert Ronald Grindle who was known as Ron. Dad gave me a picture of my grandad in his uniform but I know very little about him. If anyone could send me information about my grandfather I would appreciate it greatly. I understand he won the Victoria medal but know none of the details.

Sandra Johnson nee Grindle.

Bill White

Here is his regimental number - he recieved the Victory medal

Name: Sidney O Grindle
Regiment or Corps: Gloucestershire Regiment
Regimental Number: 12242

looking for his service record to see when he signed up etc .....

{Gloster Regiment on line records gives -}
Surname: Grindle Initials: SOG
First Name: Sidney
Rank: L Corporal
SERVICE DETAILS
Service Number: 012242
Battalion: 7th

from http://www.1914-1918.net/glos.htm
7th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Bristol in August 1914 as part of K1 and attached to 39th Brigade in 13th (Western) Division. Moved to Tidworth but by January 1915 was in billets in Basingstoke. Moved to Blackdown (Aldershot) in February 1915.
Sailed from Avonmouth on 19 June 1915 and landed on Gallipoli next month.
January 1916 : Division evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Egypt.
July 1918 : Brigade transferred to North Persia Force.

<><><><><>

Name: Sydney Oliver Grindle
Year of Registration: 1897
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 233

1901
Elizah Grindle abt 1853 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary M A Grindle abt 1853 Oxfordshire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizah J Grindle abt 1890 Littledean Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Alfred Grindleabt 1893 Collafield, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Sidney O Grindle abt 1897 Littledean Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire

Year: 1909
Month: Mar
Day: 17
Surname: GRINDLE
Forenames: Elijah
Residence: Littledean Hill Cinderford
Age_at_death: 55 years
Officiating_Minister: James Lawton Vicar
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P109 IN 1/14
Page_No: 8
Parish_Chapel: Drybrook

1911 ??
GRINDLER MARTHA F 1859 52 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
GRINDLER SYDNEY M 1897 14 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire

Name: Sidney O Grindle
Spouse : Florence M Elliott
Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1919
Registration district: Westbury
Registration county (inferred): Wiltshire
Volume Number: 6a
Page Number: 747

probable offspring >>

Sidney E J Grindle Jul Aug Sep 1920 Westbury S Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Victor A Grindle Jan Feb Mar 1922 Westbury S Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Ivor C Grindle Apr May Jun 1923 Westbury S. Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Oliver S Grindle Apr May Jun 1925 Westbury S Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Kenneth I Grindle Oct Nov Dec 1926 Westbury S. Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Arthur R Grindle Oct Nov Dec 1928 Westbury S Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Lilian Grindle Jan Feb Mar 1930 Westbury S Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Albert R Grindle Oct Nov Dec 1931 Westbury S Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Florence M Grindle Oct Nov Dec 1933 Westbury S Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Thomas A Grindle Jan Feb Mar 1935 Westbury S Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

William C Grindle Jan Feb Mar 1938 F of Dean Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire

Name: Sidney O Grindle
Death Registration Month/Year: 1944
Age at death (estimated): 47
Registration district: Gloucester City
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 400

Bill White