A Collection of Medals to the West Yorkshire (14th Foot) and Yorkshire (19th Foot) Regiments

A Great War 1916 ‘French Theatre’ M.M. group of five awarded to Private E. Mortimer, 11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, who was twice wounded during 1916-17, and later joined the Royal Flying Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (12774 Pte. E. Mortimer 11/W. York: R.); Queen’s Mediterranean 1899-1902 (4921 Pte. Mortimer [sic]. W. York: Regt) suspension claw re-pinned, minor official correction to number; 1914-15 Star (12774 Pte. E. Mortimer, W. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (12774 Pte. E. Mortimer W. York. R.) generally very fine or better (5) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the West Yorkshire (14th Foot) and Yorkshire (19th Foot) Regiments.

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Provenance: DNW, July 2004.

M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916.

Edward/Ebeneezer Mortimer was born in Morley, Leeds, Yorkshire, and attested for the 3rd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment in March 1900 (the medal roll for the Queen’s Mediterranean is consistent with the medal, in that no initial is given). Having served in the Militia, Mortimer subsequently attested for the 11th Hussars, 18 July 1902. He deserted twice, and was imprisoned twice, firstly for 25 days and subsequently for 112 days. During his second term of imprisonment he was discharged for misconduct, 26 November 1902. All of the above had been carried out under the name of ‘Edward’, and of all his service was forfeited.

Mortimer re-engaged for service as ‘Ebeneezer’ for the Great War. He served during the Great War with the 11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, in the French theatre of war, from 27 August 1915. He received a gunshot wound to the arm in 1916, and a severe gunshot wound to the head, 29 August 1917. During 1916 the 11th Battalion were heavily engaged as part of the 69th Brigade, 23rd Division, on the Somme.

In February 1918, Mortimer was back on active service, having transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic 3rd Class, and he ended the War as a Private 2nd Class in the R.A.F. Mortimer was also a recipient of the Silver War Badge.