A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal R. G. Chambers, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (R-32603 L-Cpl., 18/K.R.R.C.) minor edge bruising, good very fine £200-240

M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917.

The 18th Battalion K.R.R.C. (Arts and Crafts) was raised by Major Sir Herbert Raphael in his garden at Gildea Park. Robert Chambers joined the Battalion after enlisting in Shoreditch.

The 18th landed at Le Havre on 3 May 1916 and after trench warfare familiarisation as part of 122 Brigade, 41st Division, they took part in the Battle of the Somme.

On the night of 15 September 1916 they formed up in waves of 150 men to attack Flers. Just before the attack started, a shell killed the Commanding Officer, the Adjutant, the Signals Officer and the Trench Mortar Officer. In spite of this setback, orders were given to the Battalion to “Push home their attack with the utmost vigour - as the enemy’s morale is known to have been severely shaken”. The attack went on with the bayonet and an advance was made deeper into enemy lines than any other so far in the Somme Battle. The Battalion had done all that had been asked of it. Losses were severe, with 7 officers and 57 other ranks killed and a total of 346 casualties suffered. In October 1916 the Battalion took part in further attacks including Gird Trench and Mametz Wood.

One 24 July 1917 the 18th K.R.R.C. took over a section of the line from the 15th County of London Regiment and during 24-30 July, in spite of heavy rain, flooded trenches and constant shelling, the battalion carried out a programme of aggressive patrolling, with four men killed and 29 wounded. At 3 am on 31 July the whole Battalion went “Over the Top” in an attack on Hollebeck. Fierce fighting followed and, as the enemy positions had been untouched by artillery fire, each company suffered severe casualties. Individual groups of soldiers then bombed their way forward.

The War Diary reports, “During this time a Lance Corporal of ‘D’ Company with a small party attacked another dugout in Hollebeck and was joined by Sgt. Diplock and 3 men of ‘C’ Company. They then captured two dugouts and several prisoners and established a bombing post”. The War Diary continues “ The attack was only partially successful and the reasons for the lack of success were – 1. Darkness in starting, which resulted in loss of direction. 2. The uncut wire, which caused further loss of direction and caused B, C, and D Coys. to lose the barrage. 3. The terrible weather which caused rifles and the Lewis guns to be put out of action through the men carrying them falling in the mud. 4. The fact that during the attack, all the officers of C Coy and all the NCOs of D Coy except the two L/Cpls were killed or wounded.” It is possible that Chambers was awarded the Military Medal for this action. With copied research.