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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 514

A Great War M.M. awarded to Private R. Tyrer, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment for delivering messages under heavy fire, and who was later recommended for a Bar to his medal when 'practically all' the other Battalion Runners had become casualties

Military Medal, G.V.R. (241409 Pte R. Tyrer. 1/5 L. N. Lanc: R - T.F.), contact marks, nearly very fine

M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918.

Robert Hilton Tyrer was born at Bolton in 1885, the son of William and Martha Anne Tyrer. The family was living at 63 Baxendale Street, Astley Bridge by 1901; in 1902 he was convicted of gambling with a number of friends after school with the Bolton Journal & Guardian stating:

'the case proved, and in defendants fined 2s 6d. The Mayor warned them of the […] consequence of repetition.'

Robert had become the head of his family by 1911 with the death of his father: his mother may have been alive but does not appear in the records and he was living at 32 Maxwell Street with his sisters. Tyrer worked as a labourer in Dobson & Barlow's Mill but was also a member of the Park Bowling Club and attended the Astley Bridge Baptist Church. Enlisting on 24 November 1914 with 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment he joined the war in France on 20 July 1915 whilst attached to an entrenching battalion.

Tyrer joined his regiment on 13 November 1915 with 'D' Company, 1/5th Battalion and was promoted Lance Corporal on 10 August 1916 - however he reverted to Private at his own request on 21 August. Serving attached to 177 Tunnelling Company from 9 January 1917 he was awarded a Good Conduct Badge, then from 15 June - 26 July he was attached to 254 Company, Royal Engineers. After a period of leave (29 August - 8 September 1917) Tyrer returned to his Battalion for the Battle of Menin Road Ridge on 20 September. During this battle he served as a battalion runner under heavy fire and was awarded the M.M. as a result: this role was particularly important as the signal lines were being cut by shellfire. Later that year at the Battle of Cambrai Tyrer was again recommended for the M.M., and although this application was unsuccessful the original recommendation by Captain Sparkes states:

'During bombardment immediately preceding enemy attack N.E. of Epehy on 30 November 1917 - this man successfully delivered a message to right front company, passing through heavy enemy barrage. He afterwards rendered valuable assistance during the defence of Gloster Road, and during the following two days delivered numerous messages as practically all the other battalion runners were casualties'

He received his award on 18 September 1918 in a ceremony at Bolton Town Hall, it was awarded by Mayor Alderman Knowles-Edge. Returning to France he suffered an accidental injury on 20 September and was admitted to the Field Ambulance. He was discharged on 2 February 1919 and died at Bolton General Hospital on 16 April 1953. He is buried in Heaton Cemetery, Bolton in an unmarked grave (No. 2-L1-11); sold together with copied research including service records, census information and a copy of the recommendation for a second award of the Military Medal.

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Sold for
£300

Starting price
£160