Orders, Decorations and Medals

Corporal J. McNamara, V.C., East Surrey Regiment

2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment Presentation Medal, obv. regimental badge; rev. engraved, ‘Presented to Cpl. J. McNamara on the occasion of his winning The Victoria Cross, 1918, from Officers of the Battalion’, 35mm., bronze, in Goldsmiths & Silversmiths, London case of issue, good very fine £60-80

V.C. London Gazette 15 November 1918. ‘John McNamara, No.28939, Corpl., 9th Battn. East Surrey Regiment (Preston)’. ‘For conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty. When operating a telephone in evacuated enemy trenches occupied by his battalion, Cpl. NcNamara realized that a detirmined enemy counter-attack was gaining ground. Rushing to join the nearest post, he made the most effective use of a revolver taken from a wounded officer. Then seizing a Lewis gun, he continued to fire it till it jammed. By this time he was alone in the post. Having destroyed his telephone, he joined the nearest post, and again displayed great courage and initiative in maintaining Lewis gun fire until reinforcements arrived. It was undoubtedly due to the magnificent courage and detirmination of Corporal NcNamara that the other posts were enabled to hold on, and his fine example of devotion is worthy of the highest praise’.

The V.C. action took place on 3 September, 1918 to the north-west of Lens, France. Corporal NcNamara was killed in action on 16 October 1918, aged 29 years. He was the husband of Mary Ann Mitchell (formerly NcNamara) of 82 Stone Row, School Lane, Preston.