Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

British War Medal 1914-20 (5) (69720 Cpl. G. F. Howlett, Tank Corps; 63860 Pte. A. Hampshein, R. Fus.; GS-74620 Pte. W. E. Hoyle, R. Fus.; 6096 Pte. J. T. Wilding, E. Surr. R.; 443298 W.O. Cl. 2 L. Hearne, Labour Corps) last with slack suspension and lacking rod, nearly very fine and better (5) £90-110

George Freeman Howlett was initially a Corporal in the 6th Battalion Tank Corps and was then promoted Sergeant. Up to November 1917, after the famous Battle of Cambrai, the Tank Battalions were titled alphabetically and so F Battalion then became 6th Battalion. On 21 August 1918, Lieutenant Colonel West the Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion won the Victoria Cross, one of only four awarded to the Tank Corps. On 8 October 1918 for his bravery in support of the 30th American Division “The Old Hickories” during the Battle for Premont, Sgt George Howlett was awarded the Military Medal.

His citation states ‘During the action before Premont, on October 8, 1918, he commanded and fought his tank for three and a half hours in a very gallant manner. In spite of the fact that he got slightly wounded, he continued to fight his tank until he had finally established the infantry on their objective, after having cleared numerous enemy machine-gun nests in sunken roads etc.,, which were holding up the advance, and securing many prisoners’ (ref. The Tank Corps Book of Honour).

The “Old Hickories” won more Medals of Honour than any other American Division during the First World War and in the period from July to October 1918 lost 8,415 casualties.