Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War B.E.F. 1940 operations M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal W. H. Stout, King’s Own Regiment, afterwards King’s Royal Rifle Corps

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3709824 A. Cpl. W. H. Stout, King’s Own R.), re-pinned suspension claw and one or two edge bruises, otherwise good very fine £1000-1200

M.M. London Gazette 20 December 1940. The original recommendation states:

‘During an enemy attack at Bourghillis on 27 May, Private Stout went out across the open under heavy fire and single handed brought in a wounded man, whom he then carried on his back, himself crawling for 400 yards down a shallow communication trench. He left the wounded man under cover and crossed the open again under heavy fire to find a motor transport vehicle, and to this he, still single-handed, safely conveyed the wounded man. Throughout the action he set a high example of courage and devotion to duty.’

Having enlisted in the King’s Own Regiment in March 1931, Stout transferred to the Army Reserve in April 1938. Recalled to the 5th Battalion on the renewal of hostilities, his unit joined the B.E.F. as of 126 Infantry Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division, in which capacity he was awarded his M.M. for the above cited deeds. He subsequently transferred to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in November 1941.