A rare Great War M.M. pair awarded to Private E. Fitton, Royal Marines Medical Unit, attached Royal Naval Division

Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-3840 Pte. E. Fitton, Med. Unit R.M.); 1914-15 Star (Deal 3840-S Pte. E. Fitton, R.M.), good very fine and better (2) £600-700

M.M. London Gazette 26 March 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘He assisted in removing many wounded from a forward area under heavy fire. Displayed great courage and devotion in operations north of the River Ancre on 7 February 1917.’

Edmund Fitton was born near Middleton, Lancashire in January 1888 and was a packer at the local bleach works prior to attesting for the Royal Marines at Manchester in April 1915. Posted the R.M. Medical Unit, he served in Gallipoli from August 1915 and in France from May 1916, winning the M.M. for the above cited deeds north of the Ancre in early 1917. He was demobilised in March 1919 - his brother Robert (Deal 5841-S) also served in the R.M. Medical Unit and was awarded the M.M. and M.S.M.