Following on from my threads on casualty & Guards books this thread will show books to men who won awards - as with the casualty thread a few books aren't WW2 but hopefully still of interest. As with the other threads hopefully it will keep growing and input from forum members is welcome. Thanks Alistair
5388079 Cyril Arthur MERRY 7th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 56th Division. He was awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette supplement 19 August 1943. His citation reads "On night 10/11 May 43, Sjt Merry was a guide to a relieving coy to the right fwd posn on the Gastla Wadi. Continuous MG fire from dusk prevented the relief taking place as originally planned. Sjt Merry therefore reconnoitered all possible alternative routes with complete disregard to personel safety and eventually found a way by which the relieving troops could enter the posn. It was due to his initiative and skill that the troops in the line who had been fighting from evening 6 May till morning 11 May were able to be relieved witout heavy loss."
NX57320 Edmund Crawford LECKY, 20th Brigade signals, 9th Australin Division Awarded the M.B.E, London Gazette 8th March 1945 His Citation reads "As commander of 20 Aust Inf Bde Signal Section this officer and his command worked most efficiently throughout the operations in Finschafen and the advance up the Huon Peninsula in maintaining communiucation within the Brigade. The distance which seperated units and the rapidity of movements to meet a constantly changing situation made this a difficult task. By close personal supervision, involving constant travelling, and good organisation of teh work of his section and co-operation with regimental signal officers Capt Lecky maintained and excellent system of communications which was absolutely vital to the successful conduct of the operations of this brigade."
1543 John Lloyd JAMES 2nd Australin Div Signals Awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette 14 January 1918 his citation reads "this NCO was working a relay post during the Operations at Zonnebeke on 4/5th October 1917. The officer in charge was wounded immediately after zero hour, when lance corporal James at once took charge of the party and continued with the work with great skill and bravery. He worked untiringly and ceaselessley in order to maintain and effective system of communications between the Brigade forward station and advanced Brigade HQ both by telephone and visual. His action and coolness in this heavily shelled area set a fine example to the men under his command" He was wounded (Gassed) in May 1918
14201040 John Windsor Hyman LEITZ, I cant find a London Gazette entry to match Mentioned In Despatches This paybook seems to have been completed at the end of his service typing in all the entries from a previous book. The book has an entry that he was MiD 4 April 1946 for service in N W Europe
1322422 (176757 when promoted) Arthur Edward CHARMAN, Navigator with 101 Squadron Awarded the DFC, London Gazette 17 October 1944
6596263 William Foreman This is his WW2 book, he had seen action with the (7th, 21st & 19th) Royal Fusiliers in WW1 with whom he won the Military Medal, London Gazette 21 January 1919
15321 A Blanshard, 7th Bedfordshire Regiment Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, London Gazette 15 March 1916 His Citation reads "for conspicuous Gallantry Corporal Ivory and Lance Corporal Blanshard entered a mine shaft during a heavy bombardment by the enemys trench mortars and rescued two men. This brave act was carried out under very trying circumstances" Of the two men rescued one survived but the other died.
32562 (and 39042) Richard DAVIES 11th East Lancashires Awarded the Decoration Militaire avec Croix de Guerre gazetted 21 October 1919, his Medal Index Card seems to show he also had the MM but this seems incorrect as his service file doesnt show one.
J29885 Gerald Thomas James FIDLER, 426 Squadron RCAF Awarded the DFC, London Gazette 17 July 1945 His Citation reads "in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations against the enemy" addition information from his file "Flight Lieutenant Fidler, as captain of aircraft, has recently completed a strenuous tour of operations during which he has attacked with a high degree of success, many important tactical targets in Germany in direct support of our troops. This officer has displayed a high standard of airmanship throughout his tour of operations and has maintained a fine offensive spirit which has been an inspiration to all members of the squadron"
552567 John O'BRIEN, Hussars Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 8 July 1941, for service in the Middle East at some point between December 1940 and February 1941
552572(NCO) 190278 (officer), Edwin GLENDINNING 7th Queens Own Hussars, 7th Armoured Division Awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette 26 September 1940 His citation reads "On July 4th 1940 he advanced to within 400 yds of the enemys defences to see if they were manned. He came under very heavy fire from field and anti-tank guns but did not withdraw until he had inflicted heavy damage on enemy infantry. Agan on July 12th 1940 he showed dash and determination in engaging a lorry convoy at 400yds range. He has carried out consistently good work on patrol". he was killed 6 March 1942 “During this engagement Lieutenant Glendinning's troop was sent forward to investigate some lorries reported on the road between Waw and Payagyi. On his way he passed close to the tank battle just described and he himself was fatally wounded by an unlucky shot from an enemy tank gun. Glendinning had been twelve years in the regiment. He had been outstanding as a tank commander in the desert and had obtained a commission soon after the Wavell campaign. After a few months as a subaltern in the 3rd Hussars he came back to the 7th shortly before they sailed from Egypt and proved himself a splendid troop leader" Its interesting to note how close together his enlistment is to Sgt O'Brien (the book above) is, they seem to have followed a similar career path both winning MM's and both being commisioned, the note of "Comm" on both is in the same handwriting (unit clerk or orderly officer?), so they were possibly both serving together and probably knew each other.
2313753 Robert Richard ISAAC, Royal Corps of Signals Awarded the BEM for meritorious service in the Warzistan operations 25 November 1936 to 16th January 1937, London Gazette 10 Decmber 1937 He was Commissioned from RSM in November 1940
3600085 Thomas Ernest BELL Indian Army Corps of Clerks Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 19 July 1945 although I'm unable to find the entry
STK951 Edwin Henry DAY 10th (Stockbrokers) Royal Fusiliers Awarded Meritorious Service Medal, London Gazette 17 June 1918