Description
Military Medal, GV, for Bravery in the Field, 9222 Private Albert James Dickinson, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.
Officially impressed: “9222 Pte. A.J. Dickinson. 1/Leic: R.”
On a nice piece of original silk ribbon.
Award announced in the London Gazette, 13th May 1919.
According to “The MM Project” these awards were for actions between late August, September and October 1918, near the close of the war.
This is correct as the War Diary for the period records confirms the award amongst the “Honours and Rewards for October 1918.”
Submitted on 28th October 1918, 9222 Pte A. Dickinson, was stated to be a member of “A” Company, and was amongst 20 military medals, with a further 4 men awarded the second award clasp and even one Third award clasp (7451 Cpl A Smith)
A Company would claim 5 of the Military medals that month.
There were 2 large operations during October 1918, one fought between 8th-11th October and a large attack on 23rd October.
On 23rd October the 1st Leicesters fought in a difficult battle, where they sustained serious casualties, it was launched at 1am in the morning.
By the time the dust settled the next day, going in with about 14 Officers and 372 men, they left with 5 officers Wounded, 8 Men killed, 85 wounded and 33 missing, losing about 30% of their strength.
At 9.15am: “A man from A company, brought down 2 unwounded and 1 wounded officer prisoners belonging to the Jaeger Cyclists, location of capture was probably L33a, showing that elements of A Company had lost direction and were going towards Pommereuil.”
