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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 212

A good 1917 M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant F. MacArthur, Liverpool Regiment, who was decorated when taking command of a fighting patrol which cost the life of his Officer when outnumbered 3 to 1 - he also received a brace of wounds during the Great War

Military Medal, G.V.R. (201594 Cpl. F. McArthur. 2/5 L'Pool: R. - T.F.); British War and Victory Medals (4025 Cpl. F. MacArthur L'Pool. R.), good very fine (3)

M.M. London Gazette 21 August 1917. A citation which has been located states:

'On the night of the 5/6 July 1917, for displaying fine soldierly spirit and resource against superior odds, McArthur was out on patrol with an Officer (2nd Lieutenant E. S. M. Harding) and 9 other ranks, when they encountered a party of the enemy about 30 strong. The enemy attacked our patrol vigorously kiling the Officer and one man, wounding 2 others. McArthur immediately took charge he shot one of the enemy at close range and then withdrew his party, putting first the wounded men into a sap from which they reached our trenches. He assisted in carrying the Officer back.

On his arrival his NCO found 3 of his men missing so repeatedly went out in search of them and succeeded in bringing them all in. Although told that his duty was over he remained at the front line firing rifle grenades into the locality where the encounter took place. McArthur has been commended for fine patrol work on the previous night and his conduct on this occasion merits great praise.'

Frederick McArthur was born in 1893 and enlisted in the Liverpool Regiment in June 1916, living at Beckwith Street, Birkenhead. Joining the 2/5th Battalion, the unit went to France in February 1917, McArthur was swiftly in action as they went into the front line at La Boutillerie on 13 February 1917. He was very slightly (noted as 'trivial') wounded in the face on 2 April 1917, returning to the trenches at Bois Grenier on 13 April. He was duly promoted Corporal on 27 May 1917. McArthur showed his mettle just a few weeks later, when the unit were operating on the L'Epinette Sector on the night of 5 July. His action was specially reported and recalled by Brigadier-General R. N. Bray, Commanding 171st Infantry Brigade. McArthur took charge when the Officer was cut down and shot a man who was charging at them with bayonet fixed.

McArthur was severely wounded in the upper left arm on 21 July, the injury penetrating the muscles of his lower left shoulder. Returned home, McArthur served as a Bombing Instructor to the 7th and 9th Battalion, also being thrice reprimanded for minor offences. Returned to the front with the 9th Battalion, he was made Sergeant on 23 November 1918.

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Sold for
£800

Starting price
£240