A scarce Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. and Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Sergeant L. R. Chalkley, 1/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment, who fought with Second Lieutenant F. R. Young of the same Battalion, repulsing a German attack at Triangle Wood, east of Havrincourt, 18 September 1918. Young’s gallantry that day was recognised with the award of a posthumous Victoria Cross

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (265272 Cpl - A. Sjt - L. R. Chalkley. 1/Herts: R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (2085 Pte L. R. Chalkley. 1/1 Herts: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2085 Sjt. L. R. Chalkley. Herts. R.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (4) £800-£1,200

M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1919.

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 29 March 1919.

Leonard R. Chalkley was a native of Hitchin, Hertfordshire. He served during the Great War with the 1/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 6 November 1914. Chalkley advanced to Sergeant and continued to serve with the Battalion throughout the war, including as part of the 37th Division at Havrincourt Wood, 18 September 1918.

On the above date, near a copse called Triangle Wood, the Germans launched a ferocious assault on the Battalion’s position:

‘At 17.29 hours our artillery S.O.S. barrage came down in response to the signal about 200 yards E. of the front line. In addition to the machine guns, Lewis guns and rifles which were then firing. The enemy succeeded in penetrating our front line posts on the road in K.35.c, overrunning some of our posts.

One under Corporal Smith 1/1st Bn. Hertfordshire Regt., in a crater at K.35.c.3.6., held out throughout the attack, and inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. Parties of the enemy penetrated as far as Kut Lane in K.34.b and Femy Trench in K.34.d. where they came under cross rifle and Lewis Gun fire and were killed. Astride the Hindenburg Line the enemy completely failed to reach our front line.

North of Triangle Wood the enemy penetrated the front line, but was immediately ejected, with the loss of several prisoners, by a counter attack led by Lieut. [F. E.] Young 1/1st Bn. Hertfordshire Regt. who was captured, but escaped after knocking two of the enemy down with his fists, whereupon he organised and led a second counter attack. He was last seen fighting in the trench against considerable odds, and was subsequently killed. This most gallant officer was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. (Extract from Narrative of Operations 37th Division, August to November 1918)

Chalkley was present during these operations, and indeed provided a statement in relation to the recommendation for the award of Young’s V.C.:

‘At about 5pm on Sept 18th., after the enemy barrage lifted I was visiting my posts and I met 2/Lieut. Young who came rushing up the trench and told me the enemy were attacking; at that moment a party of 10 Germans led by an Officer tried to rush my bombing post. 2/Lieut. Young himself shot the Officer and threw two bombs into the party, thereby scattering them. He then placed me in charge and rushed round to the right flank. I did not see the Officer again.’