A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. pair awarded to Sergeant T. Oates, West Yorkshire Regiment and Machine Gun Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (20732 Sjt: T. Oates. 123/Coy. M.G.C.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (7302 Lce. Corpl. T. Oates 1st. W.Y. Regt) initial officially corrected on IGS, edge nicks, good very fine (2) £300-£400

M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917.

Thomas Oates was born in Leeds in 1885 and attested for the West Yorkshire Regiment in York on 13 November 1903, having previously served in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. Posted to the 1st Battalion, he served in India from 25 October 1905 to 21 December 1911, seeing active service on the North West Frontier of India in 1908 and taking part in the operations in the Mohmand Country. He saw further service in Malta from 22 December 1911 to 30 December 1913 where, according to the Regimental Conduct Sheet, he seemed to spend most of his time drunk.

Oates served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 September 1914, and was wounded by gun shot to the left thigh and back on 5 August 1915, being evacuated to England on 9 August 1915. Returning to the Front on 31 March 1916, he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 1 May 1916, and was promoted Corporal on 17 October 1916. He was further wounded by gun shot to the right cheek on 10 June 1917; recovering, he was posted to 123 Company, M.G.C., on 19 July 1917, and was promoted Sergeant the following day. Awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with 123 Company, M.G.C., he was finally discharged on 31 March 1920, after 16 years and 139 days’ service.

Sold with copied record of service, medal roll extracts, and other research.