Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘First Day of the Battle of the Somme 1 July 1916’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant W. Robson, Northumberland Fusiliers

Military Medal, G.V.R. (20-896 Sjt: W. Robson. 20/Nth’d: Fus:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (20-896 Sjt. W. Robson. North’d. Fus.) nearly extremely fine (3) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 9 November 1916.

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917.

William Robson attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers on 14 November 1914 and served during the Great War on the Western Front with the 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion. Advanced Sergeant, he was wounded by gun-shot on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, and was awarded the Military Medal “for good work and conspicuous gallantry with the Battalion on the 1st July 1916 at La Boiselle” (Battalion War Diary refers). Sent home to recuperate, he was convalescing at Acton Red Cross Hospital in March 1917 when General Sir W. Pitcairn Campbell visited the hospital to present the Military Medal to him. Additionally Mentioned in Despatches, he was discharged on account of his wounds on 14 December 1917 (received Silver War Badge).

The Nantwich Guardian reported:
“After making an inspection of the hospital, the Colonel (Sir Edward Cotton-Jodrell, K.C.B.) motored to the Acton Red Cross Hospital, where he presented a Military Medal to Sergeant W. Robson, of the Tyneside Scottish, who was wounded on July 1st, 1916. He was decorated for his good work in leading the men after the officers had fallen and by bombing the German dug-outs. Sergeant Robson is a member of the soldiers’ football team, and an enthusiastic athlete. General Campbell remarked on the pleasure it gave him to make the presentation because it showed that the recipient had done splendid work, and had displayed such gallantry for his King and country. It always ought to be the object of every man present to get well and some similar deed as that of the gallant soldier. It only showed what a grand thing it was to be an athlete. He congratulated Sergeant Robson.
Sergeant Robson replied that he only did his duty...”

Sold together with a photographic image of the recipient.