Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine and well-documented Great War ‘First Day of the Battle of the Somme’ M.M., and ‘Western Front’ Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Sniper and Scout, Company Sergeant Major E. Gray, 6th (Service) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was wounded and later served with the 8th (Service) Battalion

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (12887 Pte E. Gray. 6/R. Berks: R:); 1914-15 Star (12887 Pte E. Gray. R. Berks: R.); British War and Victory Medals (12887 A. W. O. Cl. 2. E. Gray. R. Berks. R.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

M.M. London Gazette 10 August 1916.

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 13 March 1919.

Edwin Gray was born in 1892, and was a native of Bracknell, Berkshire. He enlisted in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, 4 September 1914. Gray served during the Great War with the 6th (Service) Battalion in the French theatre of war from 25 July 1915. He was employed as a Sniper and a Scout, July 1915 - October 1917, and was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry during the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. On the latter date the Battalion were serving as part of the 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division, and were ‘in attack south-west of Montauban - advancing under the falling debris of Casino Point mine. Mine, Bund and Pommiers Trenches taken - heavy losses at The Loop. Casualties - 351.’ (British Battalions on the Somme by R. Westlake refers)

Gray advanced to Sergeant Instructor in October 1917, and to Platoon Sergeant in August 1918. He was made Acting Company Sergeant Major and transferred to the 8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. It was for service with the latter that he was awarded the Second Award Bar to his M.M. Gray transferred to the Army Reserve in February 1919.

Sold with a number of original photographs of recipient in uniform; named Divisional Commander’s Certificate of Commendation recording gallant conduct on 1 July 1916; Certificate of Transfer to Reserve; Certificate of Employment during the War; Cap Badge and other insignia including 4 blue wound stripes.