Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Lieutenant W. J. Bartlett, 18th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who ‘accounted for several of the enemy’

Military Medal, G.V.R. (54110 Sjt. W. J. Bartlett, 18/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. J. Bartlett), the first with edge bruise, otherwise good very fine (3) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918.

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M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. This N.C.O. displayed great personal bravery in clearing out a portion of a trench which had not been sufficiently mopped up. He accounted for several of the enemy and throughout the action set a splendid example.’

William J. Bartlett, who was born in Swansea, Wales, in July 1880, enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in December 1914.

Embarked with his unit for France in September 1915, where he joined the 18th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, he was quickly diagnosed with an eye astigmatism and hospitalised, as a consequence of which he did not rejoin his unit until February 1916.

Advanced to Corporal in December 1916 and to Sergeant in March 1917, he was shortly thereafter awarded the M.M. for the above cited deeds, prior to being embarked for England as a candidate for a commission in September of the same year. Appointed to the temporary rank of Lieutenant in early 1918, he rejoined the 19th Battalion out in France shortly before the War’s end and, in August 1919, he ‘retired to the British Isles’.

Sold with copied service record.