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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 507

The Great War M.M. and Bar awarded to Private. P. Wyre, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, for taking charge of his platoon when there was no officer present and for his bravery during the defence of Givenchy

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (202099 Pte P. Wyre. 1/4 L.N.Lanc:R - T.F.), heavy abrasions over naming, fair

M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918.

Second Award Bar to M.M. London Gazette 7 October 1918.

Patrick Wyre was born in Bolton on 29 June 1897 the son of James and Mary Ann Wire [sic]. Wyre's surname was spelled Wire upon his birth certificate, whist upon his parents' wedding certificate the name was spelled Weir. By 1901 they were living at 56 Crook Street, Bolton although by 1911 his parents had separated and Wyre was living with his father in Soho Street. He was employed in James Marsden & Sons Ltd cotton mill prior to enlisting. Wyre enlisted with 1/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in April 1915 with his name appearing in the Bolton Chronicle on 24 April as having enlisted. He was awarded the M.M. for leading his platoon into action during the Battle of Menin Road Ridge on 20 September 1917.

The second award was made for bravery during the Defence of Givenchy on 9 April 1918 during the later stages of the Spring Offensive. The 1/4 Battalion were located in the southern sector at Givenchy: German forces captured Givenchy and Festubert on the first day but these locations were retaken during allied counter-attacks. Wyre, now noted as a Corporal, was in the casualty list on 24 September 1918 and the battalion War Diary notes 18 other ranks wounded the previous week, mainly by shelling or gas. The War History for the regiment lists him as a part of 'A' Company and wounded on 16 September.

Wyre survived the war and is listed in the local electoral registers for the early 1920's living at 26 Ormrod Street. He is remembered on The Fine Cotton Spinners & Doublers Association Ltd Great War Roll of Honour, his name appearing on the same roll as Harry Woodcock M.M. whose award is offered as Lot 512; sold together with census information, newspaper cuttings and London Gazette entries. Further entitled to British War and Victory Medals.

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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£320