A very interesting WW1 Military medal grouping, awarded to a medic in the 134th field ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. Charles Henrey Searle was born in Dawlish, 1878 and at a young age moved to Exeter. In 1911 he resided in 29 Stuart Road, Heavitree, Exeter with his wife and three children (two girls and a boy). Searle was a printer machinist for the nespaper”Exeter Flying Post”. Newspaper article: Western times 07/09/1917.’Military Medal for Heavltree Man Mrs. Stuart-road, Heavitree, received a letter yesterday from his commanding officer intimating that her husband, Sergt. Had been awarded the Military Medal for gallant conduct and devotion to duty. What special act was that won for Sergt. Searle this distinction was not stated, either by the O. Or the winner himself in a letter received at the same time, in which the honour was also mentioned. Searle, who was born at Dawlish, came to Exeter an early age. And for 20 years was employed machinist at the office of the late Exeter Flying Post. He left that employment March 1st to join the and three weeks later received his first stripe, the second coming seven weeks later, and the third three months after, while training on Salisbury Plain. Going across the Channel, he reverted corporal, but three months had been restored to his earlier rank, and since being awarded the Military Medal has been made staff-sergeant, an excellent record. Will be interesting recall incident which occurred three months after Sergt. With others, he proceeded a spot where there were many wounded men. One by one his companions collapsed, but Sergt. Searle stuck to his post for nine days and nights Lack rest and sleep then told its tale, and he also collapsed, and a relief party carried himthe last of the original contingentto the rear, where, happily, speedily recovered. Sgt Searle was awarded the M. M for Gallantry, mentioned in the London Gazette on October 17, 1917. Mentioned in the Edinburgh gazette 22 October, 1917. Searle most likely joined the R. C, trained at salisbury plains with a field ambulance and upon travelling overseas to France and Flanders was sent into the 39th division, being drafted into the 134th field ambulance. 134th at this time were suffering heavy casualties as a result of the battle of Messines (June, 1917) and required reinforcements. Shortly after this the 134th field ambulance were present at the battle of Pilckem Ridge and the duration of the third battle of Ypres (Passhendaele, 1917). This would have been around the same time that Searle is mentioned on the letter and subsequently recieving the M. M for gallant conduct and devotion to duty. The event Searle is mentioned in the letter to his wife is a near citation for his M. Searle would have earned the Military medal for gallant conduct at the battle of Passhendaele with the 134th field ambulance. Another member of the 134 F. A recieved a M. M for the battle of Picklem Ridge (Passendaele) for dressing and bringing in wounded. He is gazzeted at the same time as Searle was (Edinburgh Gazette 22October, 1917). A very interesting medal group, the 134th field ambulance aren’t known for recieving a lot of gallantry in France and Flanders. Medals are all correctly impressed. M – 74443 SJT C. SEARLE 134 / F. War and Victory -”74443 A. The medals are Searles full entitlement. Would be worthy of further research. Any questions please feel free to ask. The item “Scarce WW1 Military M. M gallantry medal group 134th F. A RAMC Medical corps” is in sale since Tuesday, February 19, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “kennefergu” and is located in Jedburgh, Borders. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Issued/ Not-Issued: Issued
- Service: Army
- Modified Item: No
- Type: Medals & Ribbons
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Country/ Organization: Great Britain
- Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)
