A Great War M.C., post W.W. 2 R.V.M. group of seven awarded to Second Lieutenant Alfred Searies, Suffolk Regiment, late Royal Berkshire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘Presented to A. Searies, Jan. 14th 1920’; Royal Victorian Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, silver, unnamed; 1914-15 Star (10543 Pte., R. Berks. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Defence Medal, unnamed; Police Long Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Sergt. Alfred Searies) some with contact marks, fine and better (7)
£1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 30 July 1919. ‘T/2nd Lt. Alfred Searies, Suff. R., attd. 12th Bn.’

‘On September 28th, 1918, he handled his platoon with great skill and determination. On encountering an enemy machine gun below Spoil Bank he crept up the bank and bombed the enemy from above, whilst his rifle grenade section advanced toward the enemy. The entire enemy machine-gun crew were killed. Later, he accounted for two more machine guns and killed or captured the teams. He showed splendid courage and determination, and set a magnificent example to those with him.’

R.V.M. London Gazette 1 January 1951. ‘Police Sergeant, Berkshire Constabulary’.

Alfred Searies was born in Burfield, Berkshire. A Gardener by occupation, he attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment at Reading on 28 August 1914, aged 19 years, 83 days. He was posted to France on 30 May 1915 but was wounded in action on 3 July 1916 - suffering shrapnel wounds to the head. As a result he was invalided to England. Searies returned to France, November 1916-April 1917. In England he was discharged to a commission in the Suffolk Regiment on 8 April 1918. Returning to France for a third time, he was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in action in September 1918. On 12 October 1918 he was severely wounded in the head.

With copied service papers, gazette extracts and other research.