Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Fall of France M.M. group of four awarded to Fusilier J. F. Clarke, 4th (Motor Cycle Reconnaissance) Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who showed ‘conspicuous coolness and courage’ as a Platoon Despatch Rider in May 1940

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6914308 Fsr. J. F. Clarke, R. North’d Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, regiment officially corrected on the first, very fine and better (4) £1000-1500

M.M. London Gazette 11 July 1940. The original recommendation states:

‘Fusilier Clarke showed conspicuous coolness and courage as Platoon Despatch Rider on 20 May 1940 at Vierstraat in maintaining communications between his platoon and Company H.Q. He made numerous over a beaten zone of enemy artillery and mortar fire, showing a complete disregard of personal danger and thereby ensured the rapid and early delivery of information to Company H.Q. Again, at Moeres, on the canal, Fusilier Clarke showed similar distinguished conduct as Platoon Runner on foot on 31 May, whilst under heavy enemy fire of all arms.’

On the dates referred to in the above citation, Clarke and the 4th (Motor Cycle Reconnaissance) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, were in action defending territory in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge on 20 May 1940 and forward positions on the Bergues-Furnes Canal on the 31st - on which latter occasion the Battalion was ordered to retreat to Bray Dunes, and thence to Dunkirk. Casualties were heavy, the unit coming into contact with elements of the 5th and 7th Panzer Divisions.