For about 15 years, I’ve been trying to find out why my great-uncle, Isaac Leonard Williams (known as Len), was awarded the Military Medal. The medal is still with the family, but there is no accompanying citation. I have been unable to find anything to shed any light on this. All that is known is that the medal was awarded posthumously. He was killed in action at Delville Wood on 29th July 1916 and the award of the medal was announced in the London Gazette of 19th February 1917 (issue 29953, page 1761).
The seventh month gap between his death and the announcement of the award, made me think that the award could relate to whatever he died doing. However, there was no mention in the Battalion War Diary (at The National Archives – ref. WO 95/1362) for the time of any awards being recommended, nor was there anything in the local newspaper around the time of his death or when the London Gazette appeared.
The Battalion War Diary does contain an account of a raid on the night of 29th May 1916, which the Battalion Commander, Lt Col R W Morgan DSO ends with singling out 2/Lieut S Caldwell for special recognition. He mentions Caldwell’s coolness and organisation at the point of attacking an enemy trench. He also comments that “in this he was well backed up by the two Non Commissioned Officers whose names I also forward for reward”.
I strongly suspect that Isaac Leonard Williams was one of those NCOs, although it is likely to be impossible to prove conclusively. If only Lt Col Morgan had actually included their names in the war diary. Sadly, although officers are routinely mentioned by names, other ranks are rarely identified.
Isaac Leonard Williams was one of six soldiers from the 2nd Battalion South Staffs Regiment who were awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 19th February 1917. The others were:
16173 Pte GH Bullock DCM Bar 17516 Pte L Jones (killed in action 23 Aug 1917) 4/8996 Pte (L/Cpl) H Parton 9040 L/Cpl W Robbins 6062 Sgt T Wilkes (killed in action 29 Jul 1916)
I suspect that Sgt Wilkes was the other NCO referred to in the report of the raid of 29th May 1916. Maybe if I try to research his service, it will shed some light on my great-uncle’s award.
The officer recommended for award, 2/Lieut Stanley Caldwell received the Military Cross on 24th June 1916 so rather more quickly than the NCOs received theirs (assuming I am correct about their awards all being for the same raid). Lieut Caldwell was from the 4th Battalion but attached to the 2nd Battalion. His citation reads: “He commanded one party in the assault, made his way through strong wire, bombed several trenches, and saw all of his men out before leaving the enemy’s trench. He showed great coolness and initiative” (taken from: Honours and Awards: The South Staffordshire Regiment 1914-1918 by JCJ Elson).
2 Comments
I am Sgt Wilkes’ granddaughter!! Like you, I struck a few blanks. Didn’t even know about the MM until I read the War Graves inscription then realised I had the medal (minus ribbon).
I also got the war diary from the Regt. A really interesting read. Sadly, my grandfather’s war record was destroyed in WW II raids so I haven’t seen it. I believe his body wasn’t found until 1931 so perhaps he was one of the soldiers described as being buried in the action.
The Regt told me that normally any recommendation for a citation would not be listed in the diary but would be submitted at a later date, separately.
I was also told by the Regt’s historian that my grandfather was mentioned in the Walsall Pioneer magazine. I found you on the internet just after I had emailed the mag to see if the have anything. Fingers crossed. The Regt was able to give me some references. Might be worth you trying them.
Hope this information is of some use to you.
Good luck with your research!
Hilary Wilkes
Thanks, Hilary – great to hear from you.
I have twice been in touch with the regiment – they were able to give me details of my great uncle’s enlistment as he joined as a regular soldier in 1912.
They said it was unlikely that I’d be able to find any mention of his citation as the MM was often awarded on the word of the commanding officer in the field.
It was suggested that it might be worth seeing if the commanding officer left left a diary with the Imperial War Museum, as these often give more detail than the official battalion war diary. However, I tried, but drew a blank.
I’m still hopeful that something will turn up, but I strongly suspect that the action mentioned in the war diary is the relevant one.
Thanks for getting in touch – do let me know if you find out anything.
Tracey