The Kenneth Petrie Collection

A Great War ‘First Day of the Battle of the Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal G. Wilson, East Lancashire Regiment, for conspicuous bravery in attending to the wounded at Beaumont Hamel on 1 July 1916, during which time he was also wounded in action

Military Medal, G.V.R. (11070 L. Cpl G. Wilson. 1/E. Lanc: R.); 1914-15 Star (11070 Pte. G. Wilson, E. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (11070 Cpl. G. Wilson. E. Lan. R.) edge bruising, nearly very fine (4) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kenneth Petrie Collection.

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Dix Noonan Webb, September 2008.

M.M. London Gazette 21 September 1916.

George Wilson was a native of Accrington, Lancashire. He served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 23 November 1914.

Wilson was awarded the Military Medal for his conspicuous bravery in attending to the wounded at Beaumont Hamel on the first day of the battle of the Somme, suffering a wound to the knee in the process. On 1 July 1916, the Battalion were serving as part of the 11th Brigade, 4th Division on the Somme and were ‘In attack on Redan Ridge north of Beaumont-Hamel (1/7) - heavy losses soon after leaving assembly positions - War Diary notes line of shell holes in front of German wire held until during the evening to Mailly-Maillet.’ (British Battalions on the Somme, by R. Westlake refers).

A newspaper article in which Wilson is pictured in uniform, dated 5 September 1916, gives the following:
‘Lance-Corporal Wilson, whose friends Mr and Mrs R. Hargreaves, live at 3 Hindle Street, Accrington, is another Accrington soldier who has brought honour to himself and the town by winning the Military Medal. Full particulars concerning the brave deed for which the brave soldier won his decoration are not yet to hand, though in a letter received from him by Mr and Mrs Hargreaves, Lance Corporal Wilson modestly states that it was for ‘gallant conduct in the field.’ Lance-Corporal Wilson was wounded in the knee when performing the brilliant piece of work on July 1st. He had been in the Army for some time when the war was declared and was straightaway drafted to France along with his regiment the 1st East Lancashires. He had been in some very severe battles. Previous to enlisting he was a moulder.’ (Copy included with lot).