Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant W. A. Wood, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, attached York and Lancaster Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. A. Wood.) very fine (3) £500-£700

M.C. London Gazette 15 February 1919; citation published 30 July 1919:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and leadership. On 21 and 22 September 1918, near Gavrelle, north of Arras, during a night attack, this officer's platoon was the only one which managed to reach and keep its objective. They maintained their position for some time, but, seeing that the enemy were working round them and that they were in danger of being surrounded, he succeeded, in spite of heavy machine-gun fire, in withdrawing his men to a more favourable position about 150 yards in the rear, in which he maintained himself, although very much in advance of the remainder of the line. By so doing he- made possible a subsequent operation which was successful. He has previously done fine work on patrol.’

William Alfred Wood attested or the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and served with them as Company Quartermaster Sergeant during the Great War on he Western Front from 31 July 1915. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, and was awarded the Military Cross whilst serving on attachment to the 1st/5th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

Sold with copied medal index card which states that at some point the recipient’s medals were returned and re-issued. The medals index card is also unclear as to whether the British War and Victory Medal pair should show the rank 2nd Lieutenant or Lieutenant, and this is possibly the reason whey the medals were re-issued. Two other officers with the name W. A. Wood also served with this rank during the Great War.