A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant F. Dunton, Bedfordshire Regiment, late Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3-8572 Pte. F. Dunton. 2/Bedf: R.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (5831 Pte. F. Dunton. Derby: Regt.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5831 Pte. F. Dunton. Notts: & Derby: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (3-8572 Sjt. F. Dunton. Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (3-8572 Sjt. F. Dunton. Bedf. R.); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Frederick Dunton) the silver awards heavily toned, good very fine and better (7) £600-£800

M.M. London Gazette 21 January 1919.

Frederick Dunton was born in the parish of Shefford, Bedfordshire, in 1878, and initially attested for the Grenadier Guards at Long Eaton on 9 February 1898. Transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment six days later, Dunton was first sent to Malta for a year and thence to South Africa from 21 November 1899 to 7 September 1902. Attached to 21st Brigade, his Battalion soon developed a reputation for good work, notably during the many actions from 3 to 24 May 1900, and later at Doornkop on 29 May 1900, and Diamond Hill on 11/12 June 1900. However, his Army Service Record notes two weeks' incarceration not long thereafter, in consequence of 'setting the veldt on fire'.

Discharged in February 1910 upon termination of his first period of engagement, Dunton returned home to Shefford and took employment as a postman. The outbreak of the Great War saw him return to service with the Colours, being posted to France on 12 August 1915 as Sergeant in the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. The following year this Battalion was heavily engaged during the Battle of the Somme, specifically the storming of the Pommiers Redoubt on 1 July 1916, the Battle of Bazentin, where the Division captured Trones Wood on 14 July 1916, and the Battle of Thiepval in September 1916. The latter engagement included the storming of Thiepval Village and the front face of the Schwaben Redoubt on 28/29 September 1916.

Dunton was later commended by Major General R. P. Lee, Commanding 18th Division, for gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the Field on 5/6 August 1918, south of the Bray-Corbie Road. Decorated with the MIlitary Medal, he returned to employment with the post office and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal on 3 March 1939 as a postman based at the Harpenden Sub-Office, St. Albans. He died in St. Albans on 26 November 1946.

Sold with the original hand-annotated card of commendation; three parchment certificates of character; and copied research.