Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War M.M. awarded to Able Seaman J. H. Spicer, R.N.V.R., Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division

Military Medal, G.V.R. (LZ-5101 A.B. J. H. Spicer, Nelson Bn: R.N.V.R.) good very fine £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917.

John Henry Spicer was born at Mile End Road, London, on 7 October 1893, and was a packing-case maker when he volunteered for the R.N.V.R. on 8 December 1915. After initial training at Blandford Camp, he was rated A.B. on 1 October 1916 and joined the Nelson Battalion in France, from 3rd Reserve Battalion and Base Depot at Calais, on 12 December. Spicer took part in the fierce fighting on the Arras front and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the battle of Gavrelle, 15-25 April 1917. It was one of 15 M.M.s for Gavrelle to ratings of Nelson Battalion, the highest number for any of the actions in which the battalion took part. Spicer was briefly attached to the 7th Entrenching Battalion in February 1918 before joining the Hawke Battalion the following month, where he served for the rest of the war. He was demobilized at Crystal Palace on 16 March 1919. Sold with full research.