Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 17 - Argentum 2 Jun 2018
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Orders, Medals and Decorations, Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry, Great War 10th London Hackney Rifles Battle of Amiens Military Medal, who was wounded in action by a sniper whilst acting as a Stretcher Bearer and who had previously been awarded 2 months Field Punishment Number 1 by A Field General Court Martial awarded to Pte. H. Holmes, 2/10th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Hackney) (T.F.) comprising Military Medal, GVR, (423019 Pte. H. Holmes. 10/ Lond: R.) lightly toned very fine
Military Medal London Gazette 24th January 1919
Harry Holmes was 23 years old, a Crane Driver from West Ham, when he enlisted into the 10th battalion of the London Regiment on the 10th October 1916.He landed in France at Le Havre on the 5th February 1917. On the 1st of August 1917 he was found guilty by Field General Court Martial, of "When on Active Service conduct prejudiced to good order and military discipline" the act taking place on the 19th July 1917, he was sentenced to two month Field Punishment No1. A most humiliating form of punishment which continued into the late 1920s, Field Punishment No.1 saw the soldier in question attached standing full-length to a fixed object – either a post or a gun wheel – for up to two hours a day (often one hour in the morning and another in the afternoon). The punishment was supposedly only allowed for a maximum of 21 days and replaced flogging which had been abolished in the Army in 1881.
He was wounded by a Gun Shot wound to his right leg on the 21st September 1918 at and in his own words on Army Form B178B Statement by a Soldier concerning his own case stated "Gun Shot Wound Right Leg 21st September 1918 by sniper while advancing." On the same form he is asked in what capacity he was wounded and he states "Stretcher Bearing Section Commander".
He was discharged as 10% disabled by his bullet wound which was extracted at Casualty Clearing Station No 3 before he was moved to 56 General Hospital Etaples on his way home to England for final demobilisation on the 11th February 1919. It can be speculated that he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions as a Stretcher Bearer on the 21st September 1918.
His MM was announced in the London Gazette of the 24th January 1919; this Gazette carries the awards for the Battle of Amiens 8th August to the 3rd September 1918.
The MM is mounted on ribband bar for wear with the ribbons of the British War and Victory Medals. Sold with two original 10th London Shoulder titles, copy Medal Index card, Military Medal award card and a copy set of Service Papers
(250-350 GBP)
Military Medal London Gazette 24th January 1919
Harry Holmes was 23 years old, a Crane Driver from West Ham, when he enlisted into the 10th battalion of the London Regiment on the 10th October 1916.He landed in France at Le Havre on the 5th February 1917. On the 1st of August 1917 he was found guilty by Field General Court Martial, of "When on Active Service conduct prejudiced to good order and military discipline" the act taking place on the 19th July 1917, he was sentenced to two month Field Punishment No1. A most humiliating form of punishment which continued into the late 1920s, Field Punishment No.1 saw the soldier in question attached standing full-length to a fixed object – either a post or a gun wheel – for up to two hours a day (often one hour in the morning and another in the afternoon). The punishment was supposedly only allowed for a maximum of 21 days and replaced flogging which had been abolished in the Army in 1881.
He was wounded by a Gun Shot wound to his right leg on the 21st September 1918 at and in his own words on Army Form B178B Statement by a Soldier concerning his own case stated "Gun Shot Wound Right Leg 21st September 1918 by sniper while advancing." On the same form he is asked in what capacity he was wounded and he states "Stretcher Bearing Section Commander".
He was discharged as 10% disabled by his bullet wound which was extracted at Casualty Clearing Station No 3 before he was moved to 56 General Hospital Etaples on his way home to England for final demobilisation on the 11th February 1919. It can be speculated that he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions as a Stretcher Bearer on the 21st September 1918.
His MM was announced in the London Gazette of the 24th January 1919; this Gazette carries the awards for the Battle of Amiens 8th August to the 3rd September 1918.
The MM is mounted on ribband bar for wear with the ribbons of the British War and Victory Medals. Sold with two original 10th London Shoulder titles, copy Medal Index card, Military Medal award card and a copy set of Service Papers
(250-350 GBP)