Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Aveluy Wood’ M.C. group of four awarded to Sub-Lieutenant A. A. Oldham, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, attached 2nd Royal Marines Battalion, 63rd Royal Naval Division, late King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was severely wounded in Action on 6 April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (A-1570 L.Cpl. A. Oldham. K.R. Rif: C.); British War and Victory Medals (S. Lt. A. A. Oldham. R.N.V.R.) good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy attempted to establish a post close to our line, he jumped out of the trench and with one man drove the enemy away, taking one prisoner and dispersing the remainder. This action undoubtedly facilitated our withdrawal the same night.’

Arthur Alfred Oldham attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 May 1915, before joining No. 4 Officer Cadet Battalion at Oxford for officer training in 1917, and was granted a Temporary Commission as Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve ‘for service in the 63rd (R.N.) Division’ on 27 June 1917.

He was drafted to Howe Battalion on 8th December 1917, and served with them until 11 February 1918 when both the Howe and Nelson Battalions were disbanded due to casualties. A small number of sailors from Howe Battalion were posted as reinforcements to both Royal Marine Battalions, and Oldham was taken on strength of 2nd Royal Marine Battalion on 11 February 1918. He saw service with them during the desperate rearguard actions in defence of the line during the great German Spring Offensive of 1918, and was wounded during the Aveluy Wood counter-attack, where he was shot through both thighs, resulting in his pelvis and left femur being shattered by a rifle bullet. Taken to 20th General Hospital at Dannes Camiers, he was evacuated to England on 9 April on board the hospital ship Newhaven, with his Military Cross for actions during the Aveluy Wood counter-attack being announced in Royal Naval Division Routine Orders on 23 April 1918. 

Oldham received his Military Cross from H.M. the King at Buckingham Palace on 3 April 1919, and was invalided out of the Service as ‘Permanently unfit for service (Fracture Pelvis & Lt. thigh, rifle bullet. Shortened leg.)’ on 1 July 1919, retaining the rank of Sub-Lieutenant.