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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 676

The 'Somme Offensive 1916' M.M. awarded to Rifleman J. P. Quinn, 4th Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade, who was wounded during the Battalion's first major action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette

Military Medal, G.V.R. (26-248 Pte. J. P Quinn. 4/N.Z. Rif: Bde:), sold together with a Croix de Guerre to which the recipient is not entitled, light contact wear, very fine

Note the recipient is not entitled to the Croix de Guerre.

M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916.

James Patrick Quinn was born at Williamstown, County Cork on 28 April 1878 but moved with his family to New Zealand where he was employed by Rangitikei County Council and lived at Tamaki, Auckland. Enlisting on 22 October 1915 he embarked with the 4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade in February 1916.

Entering the war in France on 7 April 1916 Quinn served during the first major offensive the Brigade took part in, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette in the latter days of the Somme Offensive on 15 September. Quinn was noted as wounded in action that day, initially listed as wounded slightly in the thigh it appears the injury was worse than first believed.

He was invalided to Britain in October of that year and taken to the New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst. Notably that same month his M.M. was awarded in the Army Orders of 10 October 1916, suggesting that his award might be for the bloody action at Flers-Courcelette.

Declared unfit for service in January 1917 Quinn returned to Tamaki on 26 April and was struck off the strength there. He settled back in Auckland and died there on 11 November 1953; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£550

Starting price
£210