A Great War ‘Home Service’ M.S.M. awarded to Acting Serjeant H. Blake, Royal Defence Corps

Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue, M.I.D. emblem on ribbon (67940 Pte. A. Sjt., R.D.C.); together with a ‘Royal Defence Corps’ hat badge and a pair of brass ‘RDC’ shoulder titles, medal with slight edge bruise, nearly extremely fine (4) £180-220

M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919. ‘... in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the War.’ ‘Pte. (A. Sjt.), 300th Coy. Royal Defence Corps (Croydon).’

54 ‘Home Service’ M.S.M’s. awarded to the Royal Defence Corps.

Harry Blake, of 55 George Street, Croydon, an Agent and Accountant, attested for the A.S.C. on 9 December 1916, aged 35 years. Serving only one day, he later attested for the Royal Defence Corps on 4 December 1916. Serving with the 300th Company, he was later awarded the M.S.M. and his service papers record that he was ‘mentioned in despatches for valuable service rendered in connection with the war’ on 27 March 1919 (not confirmed in the gazette). The M.S.M. was his sole wartime award. With copied gazette extracts, service papers and m.i.c.