Description
Territorial Force War Medal, British War and Victory, Territorial Efficiency Medal GV, 891 Sergeant James Jarrett, 5th Battalion Royal West Kents.
BWM and Victory Medal officially impressed: “TF-240048 Sjt. J. Jarrett R. W. Kent R.” Both medals are correct but have been officially corrected at the Mint, the MIC confirms that the two medals were both “Held for amendment”.
TFWM officially impressed: “891 Pte J. Jarrett. R.W. Kent. R.”
TEM officially impressed: “240048 Sjt: J. Jarrett. 5/R. W. Kent R.”
James Jarrett served throughout the war with the 1/5th Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment.
Territorial Efficiency Medal announced in Army Order 275 of 1919.
According to the Obituary of the 1/5th Commanding Officer, who died during 1920 from the hard work of the war:
“The 1/5th Royal West Kent Regiment was among the earliest of the Territorial Battalions to volunteer for foreign service, and came to India in 1914. While in India it gained a name for itself, of which it should be deservedly proud.
Its reputation preceded it to Mesopotamia, and during the two years it has been with the 54th Infantry Brigade, it has worthily upheld this reputation and added more lustre to it.
Its good spirit was never more conspicuously shown than in the wet, cold and discomfort of the march from Baghdad to Akab in March, 1918, in the heat and dust of the advance to Tekrit in May, 1918, is the long and trying night march over the unknown and dangerous Jebel Hamrin in October, 1918, which resulted in the capture of the Fathah position on the Tigris; in its dash forward to the Lesser Zab, and the action near Homr; in the crossing of the Tigris near Huwaish, and in its final triumphant entry into Mosul, on November 5th, 1918.
Perhaps the same spirit has never shown itself more forcibly than in the long and trying wait, after the conclusion of hostilities, till the final orders were received for the return of the Battalion to England. The Battalion left Mosul on November 27th, 1919, and after spending Christmas at Basra on their way to Bombay, embarked for home on the Melita on January 2nd, 1920. Severe influenza broke out before they reached Aden and various deaths occurred during the voyage, though some twenty cases were transferred to Hospital at Port Said.”
