Military Medal recipients

[eyman]

In reply to KA's original question which started this string:
 
here is the info that I have on S A Martin. I'm aiming to publish a small book on Essex R recipients of the MM

Burrows = the regimental history, Essex Units in the War, by J W Burrows

Ian

14719 Cpl Sydney Arthur Martin, 11th Bn
MM LG 18 June 1917 p6022
Sgt. Born Castle Hedingham, lived Little Yeldham, enlisted Colchester. Died of wounds 15 September 1917
MM perhaps for raid on the Lozenge, 24 March 1917: “I can see now Lance-Corporal Martin of, I think, C Company, looking over our parapet with a Lewis gun ready to stop them as if nothing would make him budge and taking no notice of the shelling” ( Burrows, volume 6, p319).
1914-15 Star trio.

[IMBER]

Without wishing to get involved in taking sides so to speak what Redroger's original post tells us is that that was an opinion of the Military Medal held by certain soldiers who were there at the time and as such is a valuable source.  Whether we accept their view is another matter but we were not there and the fact remains that, rightly or wrongly, some soldiers held that view.  It is worth noting for the record. I speak as someone with an ancestor who won the MM.

[JustinL]

Just to go back to KA's original posting, there may have been no acts of bravery involved.

My gf's cousin was awarded the MM in the New Year's Honours list of 1918. Very disappointing. The award did appear in the London Gazette.

Oops, wrong medal. The cousin was awarded the Military Cross.

Justin

[Redroger]

Thanks for that input Imber.

[Mark Abbott]

Justin,

A gallantry award that apears in a "Birthday Gazette" originally had a recommendation; sadly most have not survived.

Mark

[stonechat]

Of the two recipients of gallantry medals in my tree and my wifes, I have only seen citations for the DCM.
My wife's grandfather received MM , DCM and Belgian Croix de guerre, and my own gt uncle the DCM. Both have citations for the DCM , there are none for the other two medals

[corisande]

, I have only seen citations for the DCM.

Going back to the earlier points in this thread, there were 4,100 DCMs awarded and 115,600 MMs. so its is not surprising that citations were not given for MMs

[Redroger]

I believe that some of the commendations for the Cambridgeshire Regiment recipients have been published.

[Mark Abbott]

 All awards originally had citations. Most have simply not survived.

For example, this is a citation for a Mention in Despatches:

Lieut. (Temp Major) Harry LEECH
1/8th Bttn. King’s Liverpool Regt.(T.F.)
Date of recommendation: 12/08/16
Award recommended: Mention in Despatches
"For coolness and gallantry under fire on the 2 August 1916, during a fairly heavy bombardment on the support trenches in front of TRONES WOOD he deliberately walked up and down the trenches to encourage the men.
Also on the day of the attack on GUILLEMONT by this battalion on the 8th August, 1916 he was of the greatest service to me, walking up and down the advanced and support trenches under fire most of the time and bringing in information as to the situation from stragglers of various regiments.”

This for a Military Medal:-



1893 Lance Corporal Frederick LUNDBERG
1/8th Bttn. King’s Liverpool Regt.(T.F.)
Date of recommendation: 24/08/16
Award recommended: Military Medal
"For gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on GUILLEMONT but this Battalion on the 8th August 1916, when in charge of Signal Station in SUNKEN ROAD.  Although without cover and under considerable Artillery fire he kept communication open with Brigade and constantly repaired lines both forward to Battalion Headquaters and back to Brigade Headquaters under heavy artillery fire.”