Excellent Court mounted 6 medal grouping awarded to Sergeant Gilbert Hancock of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (10414), later of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (6837570) and the Indian Army. Hancock’s Military Medal awarded for Bravery in the Field was published in the Supplement to the London Gazette. On 11 February 1919, page 2115. Gilbert Hancock enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corp in January 1912 and served in France and Flanders with the 1. Battalion The Kings Royal Rifle Corps from 14. August 1914, he lived in Newington at the time of his Military Medal award. This 6 medal grouping has an excellent pedigree coming as it does from the respected Old Contemptibles medal collection formed over some 40 plus years by the late Major Bob Keay. The grouping consists of. Engraved on the rim 10414 Cpl. 1914 Star with Clasp. Engraved on the reverse 10414 Pte. The British War Medal. Engraved on the rim 6837570 Sjt. Official correction to regiment. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (King George V issue – 1911 – 1920) Type 2. Engraved on the rim S. Here is an extract from the 1/KRRC War Diaries August September 1918 which probably refers to Cpl. Hancocks Military Medal award. 04 Aug Relieved from front line by 1/RoyalBerks. 2 coys to Reserve positions at MONCHY AU BOIS and 2 coys to Suppport Line at QUESNOY FARM. Several days of reorganisation, working parties and training followed. 14 Aug 02:30hrs Raid on German outpost line S of AYETTE held by 453rd RIR. 2 platoons from A Coy, 1/KRRC in conjunction with King’s Regiment. (4 named MM awards from this raid are listed on 05 Oct War Diary page, but not Cpl Gilbert HANCOCK). 14 Aug 16:55hrs Strong patrols sent out by D Coy & some of A Coy to probe after raid. Fighting around COURCELLES ALLEY leading to reinforcement before eventual withdraw. All parties back in front line by 23:35hrs. 17 Aug Relieved by 2/S Staffs and moved to billets at La CAUCHIE. 20 Aug Orders received that btn will act as brigade reserve battalion in the forthcoming attack. Moved to start position on AYETTE-BUCQOY ROAD at 17:30hrs. Btn HQ established at F. 75.90 (Ayette sheet). 21 Aug 04:55hrs attack opened. Btn acting in support to 1/Royal Berks assaulting COURCELLES. 21 Aug Btn taken out of line and rested at the PURPLE LINE for 24 hours. 23 Aug Attack on SAPIGNIES, BEHAGNIES and ERVILLERS. Btn taking up moving flank guard role on right flank of 5 Brigade in touch with 1/HLI west of COURCELLES. Btn coys assisted by a tank lead attack to the west of GOMIECOURT around A. Position consolidated in a sunken road for the night with contact with 37th Div (Lincs) on right and 5 Brigade (24/RF) on left. 600 enemy prisoners taken (nearly 1.5 times the fighting strength of the btn), as well as 200 machine guns and 6 artillery pieces. 24 Aug Attack on MOREY COPSE, supporting 1/Royal Berks, after forced march via GOMIECOURT and ERVILLERS. 26 Aug In rest at these bivouacs. 02 Sep Moved up to 2000yds west of VRAUCOURT ready for forthcoming attack. 03 Sep 05:20hrs Attack towards ridge between LAGNICOURT and MORCHIES taking EYE COPSE at 07:15hrs. Btn continued to push forward until told to stand fast approx 1000 yds SW of MORCHIES with right flank on CHAUFOURS WOOD. 6 Brigade advanced through them accompanied by cavalry and Whippet tanks. 04 Sep 07:00hrs Btn movd forward to just N of BAPAUME-CAMBRAI road near BEAUMETZ. That evening took over the HINDENBURG LINE at BETTY AVENUE and KELLETT TRENCH near DEMICOURT west of the Canal du Nord relieving 1/Kings and 17/RF. 05 Sep Patrols probing beyond KEY TRENCH. Much enemy attack and KRRC counter-attack. 06 Sep Strong enemy counter-attack. Withdrew from BEATTY POST, but almost immediately re-occupied it. (05 Oct War Diary lists awards arising from these September actions around Demicourt – 4 DCMs are named, 3 MMs and 1 Bar to MM are mentioned but not named – this is probably Hancock’s). 07 Sep Into reserve to NE of BEAUMETZ. An extract from his Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry service. Former 10414 Cpl, KRRC, MM; transferred into O&B LI, 2 March 1923; with 2nd Bn, India; NW Frontier, 1924; 1908 IGS, clasp Waziristan 1921-24; discharged on term. Of engagement; to Pension 3s 10d per day for life. Employed as a Canal Labourer; husband of Elizabeth G (nee Pearce); married Winchester, 8 Oct 1921. All the medals, clasps and ribbons are in excellent condition. A lovely interesting grouping with an unusual and seldom seen combination of awards. The item “WW1 Military Medal Unusual and Seldom Seen Six Medal Grouping” is in sale since Wednesday, October 23, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “austin1100″ and is located in Cornelius, N. Carolina. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, Germany, France.
- Featured Refinements: Military Medal
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Country/ Organization: Great Britain
- Issued/ Not-Issued: Issued
- Type: Medals & Ribbons
- Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)
- Service: Army
- Era: 1914-1945
