Lance Sargeant Oliver John Perry/13th Bri'/Middlesex Reg,

[Guest Kibbo]

Can someone let me know what the 13th Brigade was invoved in that day or advise best source to find out?

He was awarded the Military Medal. Is this a gallantry award? If so

, can I find out what it was awarded for?

[Andrew Hesketh]

Kibbo,

Welcome to the forum. However to my knowledge there were no Middlesex battalions in the 13th Brigade. Do you mean 13th battalion of the Middlesex Regiment?

[Black Watch]

None of the Middlesex Battalions was in 13th Brigade. Presumably he was in 13th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, who were part of the 73rd Brigade, 24th Division.

If they were in action at that time, they would likely be involved in the 1st Battle of the Somme.

The Military Medal is a gallantry award but its very difficult to find out why it was awarded. Possibly regimental diaries may mention the reason.

[Stebie9173]

Name: PERRY

Initials: O J

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lance Serjeant

Regiment/Service: Middlesex Regiment

Unit Text: 13th Bn.

Date of Death: 18/08/1916

Service No: G/4905

Awards: MM

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: M. 36.

Cemetery: BERNAFAY WOOD BRITISH CEMETERY, MONTAUBAN

As posted on your other topic:

From British Battalions on the Somme, by Ray Westlake.

13th (Service) Battalion. 73rd Brigade, 24th Division: Arrived Saleux by train (25/7) and marched to billets at Molliens-Vidames. Entrained at Hangest-sur-Somme for Vecquemont (31/7) and from there marched to Corbie. To Happy Valley (2/8), trenches at Arrow Head Copse (17/8). Attack towards Guillemont (18/8) - advance on right of Trones Wood Road checked by cross fire. Withdrew to La Briqueterie. To the craters in front of Carnoy (19/8)...........

Steve.

[Andrew Hesketh]

trenches at Arrow Head Copse (17/8). Attack towards Guillemont (18/8) - advance on right of Trones Wood Road checked by cross fire. Withdrew to La Briqueterie.

Ah, that places them just a few hundred yards to the east of Bernafay.

[Stebie9173]

Corporal Perry's M.M. was announced in the first main batch of M.M.s after the creation of the Medal in March 1916.

London Gazette 3-6-1916

4905 Actg. Cpl. O. J. Perry, 13th Bn., Midd'x R.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

This could mean that it was won any time up to that, though likely to be late-1915, early-1916. A search of the local papers aroun the middle of 1916 at your (actually his) Local Studies Library may turn up a mention. Alternatively it may be mentioned in the 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment's War Diary. (These are original documents at the National Archives at Kew).

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

I'm not keen to recommend book I haven't read but the Battlefield Europe series of books is usually pretty good and they have a book on Guillemont:

http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/review7a.htm

Your local library may have a copy or could get one for you.

I've just realised it cover the battle at Trones Wood... another one to add to the list of things for me to buy!

Steve.