Orders, Decorations and Medals

The unique Great War M.C. and Bar, M.M. and American D.S.C. group of six awarded to Lieutenant W. T. J. Munday, Royal Field Artillery

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar; Military Medal, G.V.R. (60845 Cpl., 48/By. R.F.A.); 1914 Star, with Mons bar (60845 Bmbr., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); U.S.A., Distinguished Service Cross, the edge officially numbered ‘6279’, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine and an exceptional group (6)

M.M. London Gazette 12 September 1916.

M.C. London Gazette 5 July 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the enmey penetrating the line, he was ordered to a crest on a flank for the purpose of observing. Fire was opened on the advancing enemy, and he remained on the crest, directing the fire of his battery, until at one moment the enemy were but 400 yards away. He subsequently collected some infantry, and with these formed a line, which, when reinforced, eventually attacked and drove the enemy back.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer went forward with a single 18-lb gun in close support of the infantry attack, bringing it into action at close range. On reaching a wood he made a forward reconnaissance, capturing two prisoners who fired at him, and was then nearly cut off by about sixty of the enemy, but got back with the two prisoners and valuable information as to the situation. He also knocked out six machine guns by his fire, materially assisting the advance of the infantry.’

U.S.A. D.S.C. London Gazette 18 August 1920. ‘For extraordinary heroism in action near Vierstraat, Belgium, August 30, 1918. While in command of an accompanying gun, Lieut. Munday advanced in close support of the attack of the 106th American Infantry. With a signaller, he made a daring reconnaissance in advance of our lines, and returned with valuable information. In an encounter with an enemy patrol, near Rissignol Wood two of the enemy were captured.’

William Thomas John Munday went to France on 16 August 1914, as a Bombardier in 48th Battery, 36th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, and as a Corporal won the Military Medal in 1916. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in April 1917, and transferred to the 112th Battery, 24th Brigade, with whom he won two M.C’s and the American D.S.C. During the Second World War he worked at Woolwich Arsenal and had his home twice destroyed during the Blitz.

Just 24 British servicemen were awarded the American Distinguished Service Cross during the Great War, only ever awarded for extraordinary heroism in the face of the enemy. Munday’s combination of gallantry awards is unique.