A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private William Hawkins, 5th Battalion Dorset Regiment

Military Medal, G.V.R. (10411 Pte., 5/Dorset. R.); 1914-15 Star (10411 Pte., Dorset. R.); British War and Victory Medals (10411 Pte., Dorset. R.) M.M. with edge bruise, very fine (4) £350-400

M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919.

William Hawkins came from Coriscombe, near Maiden Newton, Dorset. Serving as a Private in the 5th Battalion Dorset Regiment, he entered the Balkan theatre of war on 11 July 1915. The battalion landed at Sulva Bay on 6 August and were immediately engaged in an attack on Chocolate Hill. By the end of August the battalion’s strength had been reduced to 5 officers and 281 other ranks, having suffered 8 officers and 298 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. After further heavy casualties on the peninsula, the battalion was evacuated to Mudros on 15 December. After service along the Suez Canal, the 5th Dorsets were posted to France as part of the Third Army. The battalion was continually in action and at Thiepval in July 1916 it lost all its company commanders and Company sergeant-majors. In 1917 they fought in the Third Ypres and in 1918 took a prominent part in the crossing of the Canal du Nord. It was probably for his bravery during this latter action that Private Hawkins gained his Military Medal. With copied m.i.c. and gazette extract.