Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. awarded to Acting Corporal W. Griffiths, 1/5th Battalion (Territorial Force), Lincolnshire Regiment, late South Staffordshire Regiment

Military Medal G.V.R. (40615 Pte.-A. Cpl.-W. Griffiths. 5/Linc: R.) polished, good fine £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Gallantry Awards to the Lincolnshire Regiment.

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M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919.

The Recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership on the 9th Nov. 1918 during operations between Cartigny and Semeries. This N.C.O., when his platoon was held up by 2 enemy machine guns, took a Lewis Gun, went forward to a position from where he could open fire, and enabled the platoon to advance. He did this under heavy fire. Later owing to casualties, he assumed command of his platoon, and displayed skill in supervising the consolidation of his objective, often under machine gun fire. He set a fine example to his men.’

William Brownlow Griffiths, a native of Walsall, enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1909 and first served overseas with the 1/5th Battalion during the Great War before transferring to the 10th (Service) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment (Grimsby Chums). He later served with the 2/5th and 4th Lincolns before transferring to the 1/5th Lincolns with which he was awarded the M.M. in 1918.