Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Pioneer F. J. Shirley, Royal Engineers

Military Medal, G.V.R. (126507 Pnr: F. J. Shirley. No: 5 L.R. Sig: Coy. R.E.) good very fine £160-£200

M.M. London Gazette 6 August 1918.

Frederick J. Shirley suffered a shell wound to the right leg on 23 March 1918 in the initial stages of the German Spring Offensive and was later awarded the Military Medal whilst serving in France with No.5 Light Railway Signal Company, Royal Engineers. According to the Biggleswade Chronicle (Bedfordshire) of 13 December 1918, Shirley received his decoration from the hand of General Godfrey Faussett alongside seven pals at a public investiture made at Market Square in Biggleswade, the conclusion of which was met with ‘three hearty cheers’ and a march past the heroes.