Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 355

A Great War M.M. awarded to Corporal D. Hutchinson, 4th Canadian Infantry, Canadian Expeditionary Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (19083 Pte. D. Hutchinson. 4/Can: Inf:), toned, very fine

M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916. The citation states:

'For conspicuous bravery on the night of the 19th/20th September 1916 in the trenches. When all the crew of one of the Lewis Guns had been wounded or killed during an enemy counter-attack, Pte. Hutchinson took charge of the same and by keeping it in action during a critical period, assisted materially in dispersing the enemy.'

David Hutchinson was born on 22 March 1891 at Bready, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. A labourer by trade, he attested at Valcartier for the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 22 September 1914, and was posted to the 9th Canadian Infantry. Transferred to the 4th Battalion on 31 January 1915, he endured bouts of tonsillitis and influenza after landing at St. Nazaire on 11 February 1915. Taken on Strength 'Class A' on 17 February 1916, he was appointed Lance-Corporal on 8 October 1916, promoted Corporal two weeks later, and was awarded the Military Medal. The War Diary entry for the 4th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, adds a little more detail regarding events on the night of 19/20 September 1916:

'At 7.30 p.m. the enemy attacked our line in the vicinity of the Quarry and succeeded in obtaining a footing in one trench. He succeeded in capturing one Lewis Gun, the whole crew of which were casualties. 'B' Company which was in reserve, was immediately ordered to make a counter-attack. On reaching the Quarry the attacking party found the enemy had evacuated our trench. The trench was immediately reoccupied by us and dispositions reorganised.'

Having survived the encounter, Hutchinson was wounded in action on 13 April 1917, receiving a gunshot wound to the scalp. He was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Wimereux and subsequently transferred to the Town Hall Military Hospital at Wallasey to recover. Discharged on 25 June 1917, his wound fully healed, he was posted to the 3rd Reserve Battalion and later returned home to Halifax in August 1919; sold with copied service papers and research.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£380

Starting price
£140