Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Great War 1918 M.M. awarded to Sergeant W. Clarke, 1/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment (Territorial Force), for his leadership under heavy fire during the attack on Vaux-Andigny on 17 October 1918
Military Medal G.V.R. (240343 Sjt. W. Clarke. 5/Linc: R.) nearly extremely fine £240-£280
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M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919.
Walter Clarke, a native of North Kelsey, Lincolnshire, was born c.1886 and was employed as a railway plate layer prior to attesting for the 1/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment (Territorial Force) in August 1914. He served during the Great War on the Western Front and was awarded the Military Medal for his actions on 17 October 1918; a day when the 1/5th Battalion attacked Vaux-Andigny during the Battle of the Selle. The History of the 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment by T. E. Sandall contains a description of the action together with Clarke’s citation:
‘The assembly positions were occupied at 3.30 a.m. on October 17th, the first objective of the attack being the village of Vaux-Andigny. At 4:30 a.m., the assembly positions were shelled and some casualties caused. Zero hour was 5.20 a.m. when the barrage opened and our troops moved forward in touch with the Essex Regiment (6th Division) on our left and the 1/4th Leicestershire Regiment on our right. There was a very thick mist, nothing of the ground could be seen, and the advance had to be conducted by compass bearing, which had previously been taken on the objective… Owing to the thick mist there was some inevitable loss of direction, but a general line was maintained. A trench in front of the village was found to be strongly held, and some close fighting took place, the trench being carried and a few prisoners and some machine guns captured. Our casualties were rather heavy and three officers were wounded, one of whom subsequently died of wounds. Subordinate leaders, however, rose to the occasion, and great courage and initiative was shown by several N.C.O.’s and men… Sergeant W. Clarke, when the platoons got somewhat disorganised in the fog, rendered very great service in organising scattered bodies of men under heavy fire, and led them forward to the objective’
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