Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘1916’ M.M. and St George Medal for Bravery pair awarded to Private T. Shirley, 3rd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade

Military Medal, G.V.R. (5148 Pte. T. Shirley. 3/Rif: Bde:); Russia, Empire, St George Medal for Bravery, Nicholas II, 4th class, silver, the reverse numbered ‘165157’ and officially named (5148 Pte. T. Shirley. 3/Rif. Bde.) light contact marks, very fine (2) £500-600

Provenance: M. Haines Collection, DNW, December 2002.

M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1916.

St George Medal for Bravery London Gazette 25 August 1915.

Thomas Shirley served during the Great War with the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade in the French theatre of war from 10 September 1914. He later served as Private 4601848 in the 2nd West Riding Regiment, and as Private 57347 & 652609 in the Labour Corps. His Medal Index Card records that his 1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals were forfeited in accordance with King’s Regulation 392 (X) of 31 May 1921. Decorations for gallantry, however, could not be taken away, whatever his misdemeanour may have been.