Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Second Battle of Bapaume’ M.M. awarded to Sapper W. M. Pepper, 1st Divisional Signal Company, New Zealand Engineers, New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (34135 Sapr: W. M. Pepper. N.Z.E.) good very fine £460-£500

M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘On the night of 25th August in the operations near Bapaume this linesman went out under heavy shellfire and repaired the lines between the Brigade Forward Station and the Headquarters of the Battalions in the line. Under the heaviest fire and with total disregard for danger he worked unceasingly for many hours and restored communications on which much depended. His determined bravery was a fine example to all his comrades and the results of his work were of the greatest value.’

W. M. Pepper was born in Hoxton, Essex in January 1882, and attested for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in September 1916. He served with the 1st Divisional Signal Company, New Zealand Engineers in the French theatre of war from December 1917. Pepper returned to New Zealand in June 1919, and was discharged the following month. He died in Auckland in November 1969.