Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Mesopotamia Cavalry M.M. group of three awarded to Acting Corporal W. Prentice, 7th Hussars, for gallantry in helping rescue a pilot who had crashed whilst under heavy fire

Military Medal, G.V.R. (29566 Pte. W. Prentice. 7/Hrs:); British War and Victory Medals (29566 A. Cpl. W. Prentice. 7-Hrs.) good very fine (3) £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 3 July 1919 (Mesopotamia). Approximately 6 Military Medals awarded to the 7th Hussars for the Great War.

The following details are taken from a history of the regiment by J. M. Brereton: ‘The 7th Hussars reached the Jebel Hamrin without incident and after an arduous climb over the pass, again unopposed, bivouacked for the night on the forward slopes. At first light on 24 October (1918) they advanced to secure a bridge-head over one of the tributaries of the Tigris. The river, some thirty yards wide, was flowing swiftly and the track could be discerned emerging from the ford and disappearing behind dead ground on the farther bank. No sign of life. The advanced section splashed into the water, and paused to let their thirsty horses get their heads down for a moment. The men began to fumble in haversacks for mugs to replenish water-bottles. Without warning a volley of rifle fire echoed from the opposite bank; a hail of bullets flicked the surface of the water and ricocheted off the rocks. Then the deep bark of field guns added to the din. Fortunately, the enemy’s aim was erratic, and wrenching up their horses’ heads the section turned and galloped for cover where the remainder of the advance guard squadron was waiting. As if attracted by the sudden outburst, one of the reconnaissance aircraft appeared, flying low over the position. All at once it banked sharply and crashed in an eruption of dust on the near bank of the river. The Squadron Commander, Capt. Breitmeyer, promptly mounted and, followed by his servant [Prentice] with a led horse, galloped out in full view of the enemy to the scene of the crash. Remarkably, the pilot was uninjured, and the trio thundered back for cover unscathed by the hail of bullets.’

Captain G. C. A. Breitmeyer was subsequently awarded the M.C., and his servant, Private Prentice, received the M.M.