A Great War M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal W. J. Kilminster, Tank Corps, who was killed in action, 8 August 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (200406 L. Cpl., 2/Tank Corps); Memorial Plaque (William John Kilminster), plaque contained in damaged wooden frame, very fine and better (2) £500-600

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918.

Citation reads, ‘On March 22, in action near Morchies, the tank of which Pte. Kilminster was first driver had taken on board the crew of another tank which had been disabled by shell fire. When proceeding to the rallying point Pte. Kilminster’s tank became disabled and had to be evacuated. One of the wounded was unable to walk, and was carried safely by him to another tank through a heavy barrage of machine-gun and artillery fire a distance of about 150 yards. In this and in previous actions Pte. Kilminster has shown remarkable coolness under all circumstances’.

William John Kilminster was born in Camden Town, Middlesex and enlisted at London, serving initially as Private 38058 in the Machine Gun Corps. Later as a Lance-Corporal with the 2nd Battalion Tank Corps he won the Military Medal as related above. He was killed in action on 8 August 1918. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

Sold with a framed Tank Corps Certificate, part hand-written, part printed, named to Private Kilminster, which reads, ‘I have read with great pleasure the Report of your Commanding Officer on your self sacrifice & pluck in action at Morchier on 22nd March 1918. This reflects credit on yourself and on the whole Tank Corps [Signature]’.