Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Masnieres Line operations’ M.M. group of six awarded to Private O. Emery, 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, later Royal New Zealand Air Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (38945 Pte O. Emery. 2/Canterbury R.); British War and Victory Medals (38945 Cpl. O. Emery. N.Z.E.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal, mounted for display, generally very fine or better (6) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘Assault on the Masnieres Line - 8th October 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In the assault on the Masnieres Line on 8th October 1918 Pte. Emery did extremely gallant work throughout. With a companion, he rushed a machine gun post which was holding up the advance, captured the gun and accounted for the crew.’

Oliver Emery was born in Bilton, England, in February 1888. He was employed as a hydraulic tin miner in Malaya prior to attesting for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in October 1916.

Emery served with the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment in the French theatre of war from May 1917. He was awarded his M.M. for the attack on the Masnieres Line, 8 October 1918. On the latter date his Battalion captured approximately 650 Germans, 3 trench mortars, 24 machine guns, one anti-tank gun, and two howitzers.

Emery returned to New Zealand in January 1919, and was discharged, 2 May 1919. He re-engaged for service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second War.

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