Military Medal GVR (15351 S.SJT. A.T. HOWARD. 'A' CRPS: S.COY.R.E.); 1914 Star clasp 5th Aug-22 Nov 1914 (15351 2.CPL. A. HOWARD.R.E.); British War Medal (15351 S.SJT. A.T. HOWARD. R.E.); Victory Medal (15351 S.SJT. A.T. HOWARD. R.E.); Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal GVR (1851988 S.SJT. A.T. HOWARD. R.E.) - edge knocks to "Coy" on Military Medal. Sold with original citation - rare for a WWI MM.
Albert Thomas Howard was born in 1887. He went to France on 7.10.1914 and was awarded the MM for Bravery in Dismantling forward Wireless Stations under fire with A Corps Signal Company, R.E. per LG of 16 November 1917, Gazette Page 11967
The citation reads as follows:
'No. 15351 Staff-Sergt. A.T. Howard, Wireless Section, A Corps Signal Company, awarded MILITARY MEDAL by Corps Commander 29-9-1917 for - Exceptionally good work during the past months, as he has many times volunteered for dangerous work in forward areas. On these occasions he has taken forward parties with Wireless Stores to Stations which were only approached with difficulty and has set up Wireless Apparatus and got communication through. The following incident shows particular merit:
"Staff Sergeant HOWARD proceeded with an OFFICER to LIEVIN on the night of 22nd/23rd April 1917, to superintend the removal of a Wireless Station from Battalion to Brigade H.Q. and to install a Power Buzzer. He volunteered for this duty knowing the difficulties to be encountered in reaching the Station which was in an especially exposed spot. His efforts to encourage the carrying party during the journey up were noticed by the Officer. The frequent bursts of shell fire obliged them to take shelter several times en route. At LIEVIN the OFFICER had to confer with the Battalion so Staff Sergeant HOWARD offered to go on to the QUARRIES and commence dismantling the Station, as the enemy fire seemed increasing rather than decreasing in violence. On reaching the QUARRIES sometime afterwards, the OFFICER found that the work had to be carried out during lulls in the fire and the Staff Sergeant was encouraging the men by doing a large part of the work himself. On their return to Division H.Q. both the OFFICER and STAFF SERGEANT HOWARD had to be attended by the Medical Officer, who attributed their sickness to Gas,"
This is but one of the several occasions in which the conduct of this N.C.O. has been brought to notice. Whenever a Station has been in trouble, he has always offered to go forward to its assistance and his conduct under fire has been very good.'
According to the 1939 Register he was an Electrical Engineer living at 4 Melbourne Villas in Woking, Surrey. He was fined for contravening the Blackout regulations by leaving his home lights on in July 1942.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with some research.
