Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 656

The M.M. awarded to Sapper W. H. J. Whitehurst, 104th Field Company, Royal Engineers

Military Medal, G.V.R. (63896 Spr: W. H. J. Whitehurst. 104/F.Coy R.E.), pitting, very fine

M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916.

Walter Henry Joseph Whitehurst was born at Brackley, Northamptonshire in 1886, the son of William and Elizabeth Whitehurst. He appeared upon the 1911 census living at 38 Willow Street, Chingford, Essex, he attested there and was posted to 104th Field Company, Royal Engineers. With this unit Whitehurst entered the war on 1 September 1915 (Star) attached to the 24th Division.

They saw action at the end of the month at Loos in the end of 1915. The Division was to see more action during the Somme Offensive, where they went into action at the Battle of Delville Wood on 15 July 1916. They remained there for some time before joining the action at Guillemont in September. The date of gazette suggests that the award of the M.M. was for bravery during the Battle of Delville Wood.

The Field Company went on to fight at Passchendaele but it was in 1918 that they saw their heaviest action, most notably during the Spring Offensive although they were also present at Cambrai, the Selle and the Sambre. Whitehurst was discharged on 23 May 1919 and settled in West Ham where he died in March 1933; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£320

Starting price
£100