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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 218

The 'Holnon 1918' M.M. group of three awarded to Private L. Race, 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, late 8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion

Military Medal, G.V.R. (307080 Pte L. Race.1/ W. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (5270 Pte. L. Race. W. York. R.); good very fine (3)

M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919, the original recommendation states:

'For Gallant Conduct in the Field on September 17 1918 by carrying important messages through a heavy barrage'

Leonard Race was living at 8 Mafeking Grove, Cross Flatts, Leeds and working as a Miner when he enlisted on 29 March 1916. Posted to 8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion he entered the war in France on 6 August 1916, later suffering a gunshot wound to the eye on 3 September 1916. After treatment at 134 Field Ambulance he was transferred to No. 13 General Hospital, Boulogne and from there to Britain on 5 September.

Returning to France on 16 December 1916 Race was wounded again on 27 July 1917 when he was gassed during an artillery barrage and again invalided to Britain. Returning to France for the final time on 6 August 1918, Race was posted to 1st Battalion and in September 1918 was sent to the Holnon section of the line. The Battalion was part of an assault by 1st Division upon the village of Holnon itself on 17 September which aimed at securing the exits to the position before seizing it. While the 1st Battalion was able to achieve its objectives it was dogged by communications difficulties and eventually withdrew west of Holnon Wood.

Race was posted to the Regimental depot not long after this (28 September) and the next month to 5th Reserve Battalion on 28 October. He was transferred to the Army Reserve on 6 December 1918 and discharged on 20 March 1919 as a result of his wounds; sold together with an original recommendation for gallantry and copied research including, medal rolls, M.I.C. and service papers as well as an extract from The West Yorkshire Regiment in the War and the London Gazette.

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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£140