GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
1330
A Great War M.M. awarded to Sergeant S. Bull, Royal Flying Corps, who later flew as Air Gunner in a D.H.9 against
the last Zeppelin raid of the war
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (1857 Sjt. S. Bull, R.F.C.) toned, nearly extremely fine £1200-1500
M.M. London Gazette 3 June 1916.
‘5-6 August 1918. Lieutenant F. R. Bicknell and Sergeant Bull of R.A.F. No. 4 Group, Covehithe, flying in D.H.9 No. D1079 took part
in one of 35 defence sorties against Navy Zeppelins L53, L56, L63, L65 and L70 whose target was the Midlands, resulting in no
casualties and no damage [to our aircraft].’ (Air Defence of Britain, Cole & Cheseman, refers).
The following account of the destruction of Zeppelin L70 by Arthur E. Bensley is reproduced with grateful acknowledgement:
‘The August Bank Holiday during the summer of 1918 was, in fact, the best weather recorded for a bank holiday in seven years. The
beach at Great Yarmouth was crowded with holiday makers enjoying the late afternoon sun. Crossing the North Sea at about 16,000
feet and heading towards the coast of Norfolk appeared five Zeppelins flying roughly in a V formation! These giant dirigibles must have
been very impressive. L70 for instance was 693 feet in length. This was the first air attack in four months. One last effort, as it must have
been obvious to the German high command that defeat was staring them in the face. On board L70 on this day was the Leader of
Airships Fregattenkapitan Peter Strasser. Meanwhile, with the last rays of the sun reflecting from their hulls, they could clearly be seen
approaching the coast. At the air station on the Denes at Great Yarmouth, a two-seater De Havilland D.H.4 was standing by awaiting
its pilot, Major Edgar Cadbury, who with his rear-gunner, Captain Robert Leckie, were quickly in the air and climbing away from the
enemy to gain height. It was just on dusk when Captain Leckie, approaching almost head-on, fired a long burst of explosive bullets
from his Lewis machine-gun at 600 yards range, blowing a large hole in the fuselage. This in turn caused a fire in the fabric, which
quickly ran the whole length of the airship, causing its nose to lift before plunging into the sea, taking the lives of the 21 members of
crew, including Peter Strasser. The four remaining airships, their commanders stunned at witnessing the demise of L70, abandoned the
operation and returned to their home base. On returning to the air station, 25 year old Cadbury, heir to the confectionary empire, and
his gunner Robert Leckie were welcomed as heroes. On 7th August the skeletal remains of L70 were discovered on the seabed in 48
feet of water. During the next three weeks most of this was brought ashore and in the remains several bodies were discovered,
including that of Fregattenkapitan Peter Strasser.’
1331
A very rare Second World War M.M. and Bar group of four awarded to Bombardier J. W. Jennings, Royal Artillery –
originally decorated for gallant deeds with the B.E.F. in May 1940, he won a Bar for operations in North Africa in May
1942, in which theatre of war he was twice ‘blown up’ in his Wireless Transmission Truck and taken P.O.W.
MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (2563583 Bmbr. J. W. Jennings, R.A.); 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR, clasp,
8th Army; WAR MEDAL 1939-45, edge cut/bruise over ‘e’ of surname and solder repair to right hand side-carriage of the
Second Award Bar, otherwise good very fine and better (4) £3500-4000
Just 178 M.M. and Bars were awarded in the 1939-45 War – and only around a dozen of these with the original award dating from
operations in 1940.
M.M. London Gazette 11 July 1940. The original recommendation states:
‘For gallant and distinguished services in action in connection with recent operations. As Wireless Operator in the truck employed by
the Forward Observation Officer on 28 May 1940, Bombardier Jennings gave his orders with great coolness under very heavy enemy
fire, causing effective fire to be brought down on the enemy. Although his truck was badly damaged by shell fire he continued at duty
until his set was put out of action.’
Bar to M.M. London Gazette 8 November 1945. The original recommendation states:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Field. This N.C.O. during this action at Valeb, North Africa at the end of May
1942 showed conspicuous coolness and devotion to duty in maintaining signal communication under very heavy fire. While acting as
N.C.O. in command of signals to ‘B’ Troop, 285th Battery, he maintained a vital O.P. wire that was constantly being broken by shell
fire. This N.C.O. has twice been blown up in W./T. Trucks and is quite imperturbable.’
John William Jennings, a native of Gateshead, was serving in 72 Field Regiment, R.A., 50th Northumbrian Division, at the time of the
above cited actions; see the memoirs of Gunner E. Stonard, held in the archive of the Second World War Experience Centre, for full
details of 72’s operations with the B.E.F. and in North Africa.
Taken P.O.W. on the latter occasion, Jenning’s ended the War in Stalag 317 at Markt Pongau (St. Johann), and was recommended for
his second M.M. by Lieutenant-Colonel J. Lyall, R.A., on the latter’s return from captivity in 1945.
www.dnw.co.uk
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