Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Local Sergeant J. R. Bennett, Royal Engineers, attached 3rd Bombay Sappers and Miners, late Hampshire Regiment, who was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded both the M.S.M. and French Medaille Militaire for services in Mesopotamia

1914-15 Star (2954 Pte. J. R. Bennett, Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2954 Cpl. J. R. Bennett. Hamps. R.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (271198 Cpl.- Loc: Sjt:- J. R. Bennett. M.M. R.E.); France, Third Republic, Medaille Militarie, silver, gilt, and enamel, with trophy of arms suspension, good very fine (5) £340-£380

M.S.M. London Gazette 15 October 1918: 271198 Cpl. (local Sjt.) J. R. Bennett, M.M., R.E. (Aldershot)
‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in Mesopotamia during the present War.’

John Richard Bennett attested for the Hampshire Regiment and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 18 March 1915, before transferring to the Royal Engineers for service with the 3rd Bombay Sappers and Miners in Mesopotamia. For his services in Mesopotamia he was awarded the French Medaille Militaire (London Gazette 26 September 1917) and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 21 January 1919), as well as additionally being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Note: Although Bennett’s M.S.M. (and the corresponding announcement in the London Gazette) gives him the post-nominal letters ‘M.M.’, there is no evidence that he was awarded the Military Medal. It is however possible that he was recommended for the Military Medal, and the recommendation being turned down instead received the French Medaille Militaire.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card, medal roll extracts, and London Gazette entries.