A Great War M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal R. Whitty, Border Regiment

Military Medal, G.V.R. (33330 Pte.-L. Cpl. [R.] Whitty, 1/5 Bord. R.), initial worn out, replacement straight-bar suspension and probably one time swivel-mounted, good fine £150-200

M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918.

Robert Whitty originally went to France in 1916 in the 11th Battalion, Border Regiment, but had transferred to the 5th Battalion by the time of winning his M.M. for gallantry during a patrol in June 1918. The relevant entry in the unit’s war diary states:

‘The following is an account of the patrol encounter conducted by 2nd Lt. T. J. Morgan and 120 other ranks. The patrol left our lines east of Moyennville at about 10.30 p.m. Owing to our line being particularly lightly held, the importance of the patrol was great. It was not out long before parties of the enemy were seen crawling towards our lines, about 15 strong. The patrol waited until the party was within 20 yards when rapid fire was open and bombs thrown. 2nd Lt. Morgan afterwards gave the order to charge; one of the enemy was killed and one wounded, who died shortly after in the dressing station. The remainder fled and the retreat was followed up by our patrol but no captives were made. All our patrol returned safely.’

The same source states that Whitty was presented with his M.M. riband by General Lambert at a church parade, the day following the announcement that 2nd Lieutenant Morgan was to be awarded the M.C.; interestingly, Whitty’s MIC entry reveals that his British War and Victory Medals were returned to the issuing office - ‘1743 K.R. 0f 1912’.