Lot Essay
Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including a Commendation Card from the Major-General Commanding, 18th Division, 'For gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the Field on 10 August 1917 during operations against Westhoek Ridge'; an additional handwritten citation; and several newspaper cuttings and photographs.
M.M. London Gazette 21.12.1916.
Bar to M.M. London Gazette 2.11.1917.
Corporal Fred Emerson, M.M., a Bury man, was awarded his M.M. for bravery at Thiepval in September 1916 and his Bar for the attack on Westhoek Ridge in August 1917, the above described citation stating that on the latter occasion, 'He was in charge of a party of men in an important strongpoint and succeeded in driving off repeated German counter-attacks. When at last, he and his little garrison were driven out by overwhelming numbers, he rallied his men, and men of other units, and succeeded in recapturing the lost position'. Tragically he died as a result of wounds in November 1917, his widow being presented with the Bar to his M.M. by a Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell at Bury Barracks.
M.M. London Gazette 21.12.1916.
Bar to M.M. London Gazette 2.11.1917.
Corporal Fred Emerson, M.M., a Bury man, was awarded his M.M. for bravery at Thiepval in September 1916 and his Bar for the attack on Westhoek Ridge in August 1917, the above described citation stating that on the latter occasion, 'He was in charge of a party of men in an important strongpoint and succeeded in driving off repeated German counter-attacks. When at last, he and his little garrison were driven out by overwhelming numbers, he rallied his men, and men of other units, and succeeded in recapturing the lost position'. Tragically he died as a result of wounds in November 1917, his widow being presented with the Bar to his M.M. by a Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell at Bury Barracks.