Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. awarded to Private J. Smith, 11th (Service) Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment - awarded the M.M. for an attack on Gruisancourt Farm, 5 October 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (19985 Pte., 11/Notts. & Derby. R.) battalion number re-engraved, minor edge bruising, nearly extremely fine £220-260

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

View
Collection

M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919.

Citation: ‘For bravery in the attack on Gruisancourt Farm, nr. Beaurevoir, 5 October 1918, when he brought in two men who were lying only fifty yards from a German Machine Gun Post.’ (ref. British Gallantry Awards, The Sherwood Foresters, compiled by C. Housley).

Smith joined the 1st Battalion on 23 May 1915 and served with ‘A’ Company. Transferred to the 3rd Battalion on 3 January 1916 and served with ‘L’ Company. Posted to the 10th Battalion on 10 February 1916. Later served with the 11th Battalion in France and Flanders. On 5 October 1918 when serving with the 11th Battalion as a stretcher-bearer, his bravery in action during the attack on Gruisancourt Farm won him the Military Medal. He was also amongst those cited for their courage as stretcher-bearers on 23 October during the action east of the Landrecies-Bousies Road. With copied research. Note: the above reference gives his service number as ‘19958’.