A Collection of Medals to the 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

A Great War September 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., 1917 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant J. H. Stead, 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and Machine Gun Corps, who went “over the top” five times before the award of his Military Medal

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (143780 Cpl. J. H. Stead. 41/ M.G.C.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (C-12393 L. Cpl. J. Stead. 21/K.R.R.C.); British War and Victory Medals (12393 A. Sjt. J. H. Stead. K.R.R.C.) minor edge bruise to last, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 2 December 1919:
‘On 29 September, 1918, near Comines, he was in charge of a sub-section of machine guns which was ordered to advance and engage an enemy’s machine gun which was holding up the infantry advance. In order to direct the fire of the two guns, the Section Officer went out ahead, and was killed. He at once rushed out to the same point and successfully directed the fire of his guns and silenced the enemy gun. By his marked gallantry and initiative he enabled the infantry to continue their advance at a critical moment.’

M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917.

John H. Stead was born in Manchester in 1887, and was residing with his parents, John and Mary Stead, in Ripponden, near Halifax, Yorkshire by the age of fourteen.

He served during the Great War with the 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry on the Western Front. A contemporary Halifax area newspaper article (copy with lot), describes how Stead, while on leave and shortly after being awarded the M.M., had been honoured by the South Ward Liberal Club at a gathering, presumably in Halifax:

‘Lance-Corporal Stead is at present over on leave, and opportunity was taken to give him some little memento of the honour conferred upon him. Mr. Harry Farrar, the genial president, who occupied the chair, handed over to the gallant soldier an illuminated wristlet watch and a silver cigarette case (the latter suitably inscribed). The members, he said, were proud that one of their number had gained such distinction, which was an honour to the club and to the town. It was won by cleverness, coolness, and grit, and members felt they could not let the occasion pass without showing in some little way their appreciation… Lance-Corporal J. Stead, in reply, said men at the front were all animated by the same spirit – to do their best whatever the circumstances. He had been “over the top” five times since he joined the battalion, and his experience was that coolness and endeavouring to “keep one’s head” paid better than getting excited and rushing ahead recklessly.’

After March 1918, Stead transferred to the 41st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, a battalion formed from the Machine Gun Companies of the 41st Division. The Admissions and Discharge Book of the 139th Field Ambulance shows he was injured three times in 1918. The final time, on 5 September 1918, he was admitted with a gun shot wound to the left shoulder. Just twenty four days later he carried out the act for which he was awarded the D.C.M.

Sold with an original photograph taken in December 1918 of Stead in uniform together with his four sisters; and various copied research including war diary extracts.