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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 359

An outstanding Great War Trench Raid M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Corporal W. H. Bevell, 104th Company, Royal Engineers, who was decorated for creeping across the snow of No Man's Land - disguised in his white snow smock - carrying his demolition charges, which blew in two concrete dugouts on a daring raid with the 8th Battalion, The Buffs, in January 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (46805 L.Cpl. W. H. Bevell. 104/F. Coy. R.E.); 1914-15 Star (46805 Spr. W. H. Bevell. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (46805 Spr. W. H. Bevell. R.E.); Defence Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, contact marks, nearly very fine (5)

M.M. London Gazette 12 March 1917. The following summary of his work was noted in their War Diary:

'Blew in the two entrances of a dugout with one 20lb and one 10lb charge, there was a concrete machine-gun emplacement on top which was demolished by the 20lb charge, both these charges were carried by himself.'

William Henry Bevell was born at Loddiswell, Kingsbridge, Devon on 13 June 1894 and during the Great War he was in France from 1 September 1915. He served with the 104th Field Company, carrying out traditional duties for such a unit but was also detailed for the occasional 'Special Duty' - that opportunity presented itself on 26 January 1917, when Bevell, with two comrades, was attached to the 8th Battalion, The Buffs. Creeping across No Man's Land at dawn between Shoreditch Crater and Scots Alley, Bevell carried two charges to blow in dugouts and mine shafts in the Front Line Trenches, in order that the infantry could then make their charge. Three further Engineers were attached to the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who took part in a similar raid on that day, with all six actions being noted in the War Diary. It was only Bevell that was granted a gallantry award for the action and it is interesting that the Raiding Party went 'over the top' decked out in white smocks, on account of the snow that lay on the ground. The Raid was a total success with great casualties inflicted and prisoners taken for their efforts. Bevell was discharged on 28 November 1917 on account of wounds and was issued a Silver War Badge.

Returned to his native Devon he took work as a gardener and was a keen member of the Kingsbridge Horticultural Society. Having clearly done his duty with the local Home Guard during the Second World War, he died on 10 February 1970, having been living at 129 Fore Street; sold together with detailed copied research.

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Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£210