Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Great War M.M. and Bar group of four awarded to Corporal T. Lewins, Somerset Light Infantry

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (16788 L. Cpl., 7/Som. L.I.); 1914-15 Star (16788 Pte., Som. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (16788 Cpl., Som. L.I.), generally very fine or better (4) £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 13th Regiment and Somerset Light Infantry.

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M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1916:

‘The Major-General 20th Light Division has received a report of the gallant conduct of 16788 Lance-Corporal T. Lewins, 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry on 3 September 1916 during the attack on Guillemont and wishes to congratulate him on his fine behaviour.’

Bar to M.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917:

‘The Major-General 20th Light Division has received a report of the gallant conduct of 16788 Lance-Sergeant, 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry on 1 April 1917 for rescuing wounded men under heavy fire at Ruyaulcourt and wishes to congratulate him on his fine behaviour.’

Lewins’ first M.M. was won at the Battle of Guillemont on 3 September 1916, when the 7th Battalion, Somersets captured their objectives for a loss of 11 killed and 155 wounded. At one stage, according to the regimental historian, enemy artillery got the range of the Somersets as they consolidated their positions at their first objective, and shrapnel was seen to be ‘bursting over the West Conutrymen’ with ‘marvellous precision.’

The Bar to his M.M. was awarded for bringing in wounded men on 1 April 1917, when the Battalion was bombarded while moving back from the front line at Le Transloy, near Ruyaulcourt.