Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Bombardier H. E. A. James, Royal Field Artillery, late Royal Horse Artillery

Military Medal, G.V.R. (618127 H. E. A. James, A. 298/N.M: Bde: R.F.A. - T.F.) nearly very fine £160-£200

M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917.

‘James, H.E. (M.M.), Bombardier, R.H.A. and R.F.A. Already in the army at the outbreak of war he rendered good service for some time in England, and was later sent to the Western Front. Here he played an important part in the first Battle of the Somme, and although wounded, continued to serve his gun. For this conspicuous action he was awarded the Military Medal, and in May 1917 was invalided out of the Army. In addition to the Military Medal he holds the General Service and Victory Medals.’ (National Roll of the Great War, Vol. 4 (Southampton) refers.)

Henry Edward Adams James was born in the Parish of Grangetown, Cardiff, and enlisted at Southampton into the Hants. R.H.A. on 17 November 1913, aged 17 years 10 months, an apprenticed shipwright with 3 years 2 months still to serve. After a period of Home service he was sent to France on 14 March 1917, where he served with A/298th (North Midland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force) until 1 December 1917, when he returned home suffering from shell deafness and having been wounded by a gunshot in the right leg on 5 October 1917. He was discharged on 14 December 1918. Sold with full research including copied discharge papers.