Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Part 3

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private F. C. Ward, 4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who received his decoration for the action in which Corporal F. C. Wilcox was awarded the Victoria Cross Military Medal, G.V.R. (265994 Pte. F. C. Ward, 4/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (2970 Pte. F. C. Ward. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.), edge bruising, very fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. F. C. Wardle, a native of Princess Risborough, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 2nd/1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. The battalion was broken up in April 1918 and the remaining men were posted to the 2nd/4th Battalion. Regimental records suggest that Wardle’s Military Medal was awarded in November 1918 for the action in which Corporal F. C. Wilcox, of the same Battalion, received his Victoria Cross. V.C. London Gazette 15 November 1918: ‘For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack [near Laventie, France , on 12 September 1918]. When his company was held up by heavy and persistent machine-gun fire at close range. On his own initiative, with four men he rushed ahead to the nearest enemy gun, bombed it, killed the gunner, and put the gun out of action. Being then attacked by an enemy bombing party, Corporal Wilcox picked up enemy bombs and led his party against the next gun, finally capturing and destroying it. Although left with only one man, he continued bombing and captured a third gun. He again bombed up the trench, captured a fourth gun, and then rejoined his platoon. Corporal Wilcox displayed in this series of successful individual enterprises exceptional valour, judgement, and initiative.’