The Kenneth Petrie Collection, Part 1

A Great War 1918 ‘Salonika operations’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private C. Llewellyn, 11th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, who distinguished himself when he saved the life of another soldier wounded during a night patrol, 1-2 April 1918, and he was also awarded the French Medal of Honour in Bronze with Swords Military Medal, G.V.R. (18207 Pte C. Llewellyn. 11/Worc: R.); 1914-15 Star (18207 Pte. C. Llewellyn. Worc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (18207. Pte. C. Llewellyn. Worc. R.) suspension claw loose on BWM, contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 29 August 1918. The original recommendation, as extracted from 12th Corps Routine Order No. 65, dated 6 April 1918, states: ‘On the night 1st/2nd April, 1918 Private Llewellyn was one of a patrol sent to reconnoitre the enemy position. On approaching, advanced scouts of a patrol were fired on by enemy (estimated strength 50 rifles). One of the Scouts was wounded in both legs. The enemy were seen to move forward with the evident intention of capturing this man, but the main body of our patrol coming up engaged them with rifle fire to which the enemy replied. Under heavy enemy rifle fire, Private Llewellyn carried the wounded man to a place under cover about 50 yards to the rear, and immediately returned to his patrol and assisted in holding up the enemy who were attempting to surround them. The patrol withdrew to a position near to where the wounded man lay, and again by rifle fire held up the enemy who were endeavouring to advance. During this check Private Llewellyn carried the wounded man to a place of safety some considerable distance to the rear, and then went forward again to assist the patrol. Enemy were eventually driven back by rifle fire. Subsequently, Private Llewellyn carried the wounded man to our lines. Private Llewellyn displayed great courage and devotion to duty.’ France, Medal of Honour in Bronze, with Swords London Gazette 21 July 1919. Charles Llewellyn was born in Haverfordwest in October 1890. He was employed by Great Western Railway prior to the Great War, and served with the 11th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 22 September 1915. The Battalion moved to Salonika in November of the same year, and it is was in this theatre that Lllewellyn distinguished himself. Llewellyn returned to Great Western Railway after the war, and was employed as a Driver at the Main Depot in Swansea until his retirement in 1955. He died in August 1977. Sold with typed copy of Extract from 12th Corps Routine Order No. 65 dated 6 April 1918; several annotated photographic images of recipient and a modern typed transcript of a letter from to vendor from recipient’s son.