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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 516

A Great M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal C. Grognet, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who attended to the wounded at an advanced post while under heavy fire for two days with the threat of snipers too great to allow for evacuation

Military Medal, G.V.R. (241173 Cpl C. Grognet. 1/5 L. N. Lanc: R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (241173 Pte C. Grognet. L. N. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (3141 Cpl. C. Grognet. L. N. Lan. R.), contact marks, very fine (4)

M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918, the records of the 55th Division state:

'During the attack on enemy position on 20th inst, [sic] and the following two days, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attended wounded at an advanced post under the most adverse circumstances, the post being in the enemy barrage zone, and owing to snipers the wounded could not be taken away by day. His untiring energy in looking after their wants was most inspiring and encouraging to those at this post, for casualties were very heavy.'

Charles Grognet was born at Bolton, Lancashire on 15 August 1889 to Charles and Harriet Grognet. His father was also a former soldier having served with the Royal Artillery from 1861-82. He grew up at 71 Parrot Street with his parents and two sisters, Ellen and Lily. After the death of his father in 1891 Harriet remarried one Andrew Cawfield and the family moved to 109 Rupert Street. Grognet enlisted with the Territorial Force on 31 October 1914 and joined the war in France on 27 June 1915. Promoted Lance Corporal 1 March 1917 and Corporal on 20 September 1917, the same day that he was awarded his M.M. at the Battle of Menin Road Ridge. In the time that he won his promotion and medal the battalion was attacking a feature known as Hill 37. It is almost certainly during the capture and subsequent defence of this position that Grognet performed his acts of valour.

However, misfortune was waiting just around the corner and he was posted missing on 30 November 1917 during the battle of Cambrai. Confirmed as a prisoner of war on 30 January 1918 Grognet was sent to first Dulmen and later Parchim POW Camps in Germany. While here it appears he had some trouble proving he was an NCO, writing to his mother on 2 June 1918 and requesting the army send proof of his status as substantive Corporal. The document which the army sent must have had the desired effect, as he is noted in the camp documents with the correct rank. Released towards the end of the war he was in Bolton on 1 February 1919 for a presentation ceremony hosted by Lord Leverhulme, the Mayor of Bolton. The Bolton Evening News reported the event and noted his award as being:

'For general good work and taking ammunition and rations up the line under heavy shell fire'.

Sold together with a research file including copied London Gazette citations, census and service records as well as newspaper cuttings and other research.

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Sold for
£500

Starting price
£190