Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 513

A very fine Great War M.M. awarded to Sergeant F. Norburn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, twice wounded in action, who took charge of a platoon when its officers were killed, took their objective and then held it for three days under heavy fire

Military Medal, G.V.R. (240784 Sjt: F. Norburn. 1/5 L. N. Lanc. R.-T.F.), edge bruising and contact marks to rim, very fine

M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917.

Frederick Norburn was born at Bolton, Lancashire in 1891 to Robert and Emily Norburn. He grew up living in the home of his uncle at Gaskell Street before moving to Astley Bridge by 1901. His father was employed as a fireman in a foundry by 1911 and, in what was presumably a related turn of events, started to spell his name 'Norbourn' though his son stuck to the original spelling. Frederick enlisted 1/5 Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 15 September 1914, having previously been working as a Labourer in the same foundry as his father.

He joined the war in France in January 1915 and was in action a number of time, notably suffering a wound to the face at Guillemont on 10 August 1916 while in Dublin Trench, Montauban, which was recorded in the War Diary. He won his M.M. during the fighting at Pilckem Ridge, Passchendaele on 31 July 1917: Norburn's platoon had lost its officers during their engagement and was leaderless in the face of the enemy. He not only rallied them to keep fighting but also managed to lead them to take their objective, dig in and hold it for three days in the teeth of heavy enemy fire.

At some stage after receiving this award he was attached to 166th Trench Mortar Battery. Wounded again at Cambrai on 30 November 1917 he was taken prisoner and remained a POW for ten weeks before becoming part of a prisoner exchange. Having returned to Britain, via neutral Holland, he underwent an operation at King George Hospital, London. Presented with his M.M. whilst recovering, on 11 May 1918, by Mayor Alderman Knowles-Edge at Bolton Town Hall. The Bolton Journal & Guardian reported on his exploits that week stating:

'The Military Medal was awarded to him on the 31st July, 1917, at Ypres. He took charge of a platoon in a big attack, when the officers were killed, and after gaining the objective dug a strong point and held it under heavy shell fire for three days with 22 men.'

His wounds proved severe enough that he was discharged on 8 November 1918 entitling him to a Silver War Badge (No. B 37898). Upon settling in Deane, Bolton he married Bertha Brooks at Deane Parish Church in 1919 but sadly lost her in 1928 aged only 32. He remarried again in 1930 at the Parish Church of Emmanuel in Deane. At the start of the Second World War he was listed as an Insurance Agent; sold together with copied research including London Gazette entries, newspaper cuttings and census information.

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

Sold for
£380

Starting price
£190