Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Battle of Arras’ M.M. awarded to Private B. Hibbard, Somerset Light Infantry

Military Medal, G.V.R. (17477 Pte. B. Hibbard. 8/Som:L.I.) later replacement suspension soldered directly on to medal disc, the planchet good very fine £100-£140

M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917

Bert Hibbard was born in 1896 and attested for the Somerset Light Infantry on 9 March 1915. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 July 1915: the British War and Victory Medal Roll states that he served with the 1st Battalion but he was decorated for his bravery whilst serving with the 8th (Service) Battalion, receiving the Military Medal in 1917. The Schedule Number of his M.M. signifies that this was an award for the Arras Offensive, April-May 1917, where the 8th Battalion were engaged as part of the 37th Division. He was discharged on 14 January 1919, aged 23 years, and awarded a Silver War Badge.