Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘1918’ M.M. and Second Award Bar group of three awarded to Sergeant A. Braithwaite, 2/7th and 1st Battalions, Lancashire Fusiliers

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (281019 Cpl. A. Braithwaite. 2/7 Lan: Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (281019 Sjt. A. Braithwaite. Lan. Fus.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (3) £700-900

Provenance: Dr. A. W. Stott Collection, DNW, March 1997.

M.M. London Gazette 27 June 1918.

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 17 June 1919.

Arthur Braithwaite initially served during the Great War with the 2/7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in the French theatre of war. He was awarded his M.M. for the March Retreat 1918, when the 2/7th Battalion were in support in Templeux Quarries during an enemy attack in thick fog. The battalion was cut off and surrounded, the majority being killed or taken prisoner. The survivors fought on until withdrawn on 28 March, but the battalion never fought again and was disbanded in July 1918.

Having advanced to Sergeant, Braithwaite transferred to the 1st Battalion and it was serving with them for the attack on Ledeghem, 15 October 1918, that he was awarded the Bar to his M.M.