Military Medal GVR (PO-15165 PTE-A.SJT:- W.L. LOCK. 2/R.M.L.I.); 1914-15 Star (PO. 15165 PTE. W.L. LOCK. R.M.L.I.); British War Medal (PO. 15165 ACT.SGT. W.L. LOCK. R.M.L.I.); Victory Medal (PO. 15165 ACT.SGT. W.L.LOCK. R.M.L.I.)
William Lewis Lock was born in Southampton in 1889. A Printer's Mate, he enlisted into the Royal Marines in 1908. Having been on the West Indies Station, he was posted back to Portsmouth on 1 August 1914, just prior to the start of WWI. In February 1915 he was posted to HMS Victory for service with the Royal Marine Brigade serving in Gallipoli with the Portsmouth battalion RMLI from 28 April 1915. They landed at ANZAC cove in late April 1915 and were in action for the next week with the main Turkish attack coming on 29/30 April when the RMLI battalions suffered 337 casualties.
When the decision to evacuate Gallipoli was taken 2 RMLI were tasked to form the rearguard. Lock was evacuated with the rest of 2 RMLI on 8 January 1916. He next served at Stavros with the Greek army from 15 April 1916 before being posted to France from 12 May 1916, taking part in the Battle of the Ancre near Beaumont Hamel in November 1916 followed by actions at Miraumont in February 1917 and Paschendaele. He was awarded the Military Medal for Welch Ridge where, on 30 December 1917 the Germans, dressed in white snow suits attacked in force all along the line. There were two battlaions of each brigade in the line at the time with 2 RMLI in reserve. In 188 brigade sector 1 RMLI held thier positions but the Howe battalion was pushed back, counter attacks were initiated during the night which recovered the position but further German attacks occurred on the 31st which were repulsed with heavy loss.
His MM was gazetted on 23 February 1918. According to the 1939 Register he was a Carpenter's Labourer living at 73 Tremona Road, Southampton.
Lock died in Southampton in 1956.
Sold with some copied research. Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
