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646
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Able Seaman E. Harris, Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Volunteer
Reserve, three times wounded in action
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (WZ-995 A.B. E. Harris, Hawke Bn. R.N.V.R.) edge bruising, very fine £600-700
M.M. London Gazette 20 August 1919.
Eddie Harris was born on 2 October 1896. Living in Neath and a Collier by occupation, he enlisted into the R.N.V.R. on 11 May 1915.
He was promoted to Able Seaman in August 1915 and Leading Seaman in November 1915. Posted to the Hawke Battalion, he entered
France on 10 July 1916 and reverted to Able Seaman at his own request in November that year. In March 1917 he was admitted to
hospital at Etaples suffering from Trench Feet but was able to rejoin his unit during the following month. He was admitted to the 7th
Canadian General Hospital in Etaples in November 1917 suffering from the effects of gas. Recovering he was able once more to return
to his unit but in March 1918 he was again wounded - suffering from a gunshot wound and the effects of gas, for which he was
invalided to England. In August 1918 he returned to the Hawke Battalion in France but was wounded for the third time in September
1918 - suffering a gunshot wound to the chest, leg and foot, for which he was invalided to England. For his brave services Able Seaman
Harris was awarded the Military Medal. He was demobilised on 13 January 1919.
With copied service papers.
647
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Leading Seaman G. R. F. Rees, Anson, late Nelson Battalions, Royal
Naval Volunteer Reserve, three times wounded in action, who died of wounds, 1 October 1918.
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (B.Z.145 L.S. G. R. F. Rees, Anson Bn. R.N.V.R.) nearly extremely fine £800-900
M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919.
George Richard Francis Rees was born on 13 December 1896. Living in Cardiff and a Gasman by occupation, he enlisted into the R.N.
V.R. on 17 October 1914. Posted to the Nelson Battalion in December 1915, he joined the unit at Mudros in January 1916. In July
1916 his unit was posted to Alexandria but he remained at Mudros being treated for acute appendicitis. After rejoining his unit he was
posted to France in September 1916. Rees was admitted to hospital at Dannes Chamiers in January 1917 suffering from Trench Feet
and was later invalided to England. He returned to his unit in the field in July 1917. Rees was wounded on 3 January 1918, being
buried by shell explosion and suffering from shell shock. Posted to the Anson Battalion in March 1918 he was wounded in action on 26
August 1918 - receiving a mild gunshot wound to his cheek. Returning to duty he was wounded for the third time - receiving gunshot
wounds to his buttocks and leg. Sadly his wounds proved to be fatal and he died of his injuries on 1 October 1918. He was buried in
the Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux St. Marc, near Arras. He was the son of James Francis and Kate Elizabeth Rees of 169A Clive
Street, Grangetown, Cardiff. With copied service papers and war diary extracts - these covering the period 10 September-8 October,
when the Anson Battalion, part of the 63rd (R.N.) Division, was in action in the Cambrai Sector.
648
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Corporal Frank West, 55th Battalion Australian Infantry
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (2019 A.L. Cpl., 55/Aust. Inf.) extremely fine £550-650
M.M. London Gazette 11 January 1918; Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 23 May 1918.
Recommendation states: ‘This man displayed great devotion to duty and courage during the attack on Polygon Wood on 26th Sept.
1917. On the night of 26/27th he took a Lewis Gun out to an exposed position between two companies and captured an Officer & 5
men of the enemy, bringing them into our lines. His coolness was very noticeable throughout the engagement’.
Frank West was born in Greys, Essex, England. Living in Australia and a Contractor by occupation, he attested for the Australian
Imperial Force on 2 March 1916, aged 32 years, 7 months. With the 55th Battalion Australian Infantry, he proceeded to France in
November 1916. West was wounded in action on 10 March 1917, suffering a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, and was invalided to
England. Returning to France and rejoining his unit in June 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in action on 26/27
September at Polygon Wood. In August 1918 he was transferred to the 14th Training Battalion based at Tidworth, England. Corporal
West returned to France once more in early 1919 and as a Temporary Serjeant was attached to the Australian Burials and Graves
Registration Detachments. Returning to England in April 1919 he embarked for Australia and was demobilised in July 1919. Frank
West died on 19 April 1957.
At the time of his M.M. award, the 55th Battalion Australian Infantry was part of the 14th Australian Infantry Brigade; 5th Australian
Division, I Anzac Corps.
With copied service papers in folder.
649
A Great War M.M. awarded to Serjeant H. Marshall, 24th Quebec Regiment
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (66106 Sjt., 24/Quebec R.) nearly very fine £240-280
M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1919.
www.dnw.co.uk
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