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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 298

Three: Lance-Sergeant J. Vanes, 'B' Company, 1/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), who won the Military Medal at Bethune on the night of 13-14 August only to die on 13 November 1920

1914-15 Star (2328 Pte. J. Vanes. Notts: & Derby: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2328 Cpl. J. Vanes. Notts. & Derby. R.), good very fine (3)

[M.M.] London Gazette 11 December 1918:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on a fighting patrol north east of Bethune on the night of 13/14th August 1918. This NCO was in charge of the right flank party and when the main party met with point blank fire from 2 machine guns and many bombs, and all but 2 were casualties, he and his two men worked forward and silenced one gun with bombs, inflicting casualties on the enemy, the fire from the other gun prevented them from going on and Corporal Vanes was wounded and withdrew his party, being helped back himself. Hearing that there was an NCO wounded and still lying in No-Mans-Land Corporal Vanes, in spite of his painfull [sic] wound, went out again and helped to bring him in, Corporal Vanes did splendid work on a fighting patrol near Hulluch on January 2nd 1918 and also repelling a hostile raiding party on the same night'

James Vanes was born at Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire on 13 August 1894, the son of Walter and Sarah Vanes of Chapel-en-le-Frith. Having worked as a Grocers' Assistant prior to enlisting he joined the 1/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Entering the war in France on 25 February 1915 with 'B' Company, he wrote in to the Buxton Advertiser on 5 June 1915 giving consolation for the death of a comrade, Private Muir and stating:

'My most heartfelt sympathies go out to you in the great loss you have so lately sustained. It seems a cruel blow that takes an only son and brother, but you have great consolation that he died like a man. I was in the trench on his right, when he got shot, and did not think it was so serious as it proved to be. Muir was a good soldier, and in him we have lost a good comrade. He was thought highly of by all those who knew him, and we are all so sorry to lose him. Hoping that you will not take this bitter blow too hard, - I remain yours sincerely J. Vanes'

Promoted Lance Corporal on 1917 and Corporal in 1918, it was with this latter rank that he won his Military Medal for gallantry during the early stages of the Hundred Days Offensive. Promoted Lance-Sergeant, Vanes continued to serve until 22 July 1919 when he was disembodied. Vanes died on 13 November 1920 and is buried at Chapel-En-Le-Firth (St. Thomas-A-Becket) Churchyard, Derbyshire; sold together with copied photographs of the recipient and copied research including Newspaper cuttings, M.I.C. and Commonwealth War Graves details as well as a citation and London Gazette entry. Further entitled to the Military Medal.

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Sold for
£130

Starting price
£130