Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Second Lieutenant J. D. W. McMichael, Worcestershire Regiment
1914-15 Star (2.Lieut., Worc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2.Lieut.) together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (John Douglas Wyld McMichael), nearly extremely fine (4)

Second Lieutenant John Douglas Wyld McMichael, a native of Alvechurch, Worcestershire, was killed in action on 23 May 1916, during the fighting at Vimy Ridge. The Regimental History states, ‘After a day of heavy shelling the gun fire rose to intensity at 8:25pm and the counter-attack began. Through a storm of fire the assaulting platoons of the 3rd Worcesters charged forward and retook ‘P79’ with the bayonet; but on their left the enemy beat off the attack of the 47th Division and presently brought enfilade fire to bear on the position gained by the Battalion. The left half of ‘P79’ had to be evacuated, but the Worcesters succeeded in making a block half-way along the trench, and held the right half obstinately with bomb and bayonet. No further attack was attempted by either side and gradually the gun fire died down. The days work had cost the Battalion dear - nearly a hundred in all, including the gallant Second Lieutenant McMichael.’ He is also mentioned in the Regimental History for inspiring the defence of a crater caused by the explosion of a mine by the enemy on Vimy Ridge on 28 April 1916. He is buried in Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St Eloy, France. Sold with further research details.