Category Archives: Honours and Awards

809/240063 Pte Jim Cook from Clay Cross

A Pre-War Territorial who enlisted in November 1908. Arrived in France in February 1915 and later served with the 2nd Battalion. Disembodied in February 1919.

1914-15 Trio awarded to Jim Cook
Medal Role
Attestation Form

Jim was a 20 year old miner from Clay Cross when he enlisted and was posted to Letter G (Clay Cross & District Company). Jim arrived in France with the rest of the 46th North Midland Division in February 1915. Jim caught typhoid/enteric fever in September 1915 and was transferred to Hospital in England.

Medical Record

Following treatment in Tooting Hospital Jim was discharged in October 1915 and posted to the 3/6th Battalion. He was later transferred to the Command Depot at Ripon in March 1916.

Northern Command Depot

In August 1918 Jim was transferred to the Army Reserve and returned to work at Clay Cross No 2 Pit.

Army Service Record

Jim returned to France in April 1918 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion. He was wounded on 17th April 1918; suffering from gsw in the upper right arm. At that time the 2nd Battalion were holding front line trenches in the Dickebusch Sector when they were heavily shelled and the Germans attempted to raid a bombing post.

663/240052 Sergeant Frank Greatorex from Clay Cross

Enlisted in May 1908 and arrived in France in February 1915. Caught pneumonia in May 1918, returned to England and was discharged in February 1919.

Medals awarded to Frank Greatorex (image courtesy of Shane Harper)
Medal Index Card
Frank only served overseas with the 1/6th Battalion
Frank was treated for pneumonia at the 23 CCS and 18th General Hospital before being transferred to England on the 16th May 1918.

172/238002 Sergeant James Mellor from Derbyshire

A pre-War Volunteer who enlisted into the Territorial Force in April 1908. Arrived in France in February 1915 and served with “D” Company. Wounded at Kemel in May 1915. Disembodied in January 1919.

Awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in April 1913 (image courtesy of Shane Harper)
James served with the 1/6th and 1/5th Battalions

118555 Pte Edmond Salmon

British War medal

Edmond was part of a draft of at least 140 men that were mobilised and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters between 12th-13th June 1918. The 3rd Battalion was was part of the Tyne Garrison based in Sunderland and was responsible for training new recruits, along with the 4th (Extra Reserve), 5th (Reserve) and 7th (Reserve) Battalions.

The men were issued regimental numbers between (at least) 118431 (Frank Hartwell from Hucknall) and 118571 (Walter Kirkham). The service records of at least six of these men still exist, and based on these records it is possible to piece together the movements of Edmond and his comrades.

Following training the men disembarked from Dover to the Base Depot in France on the 4th October 1918 and were initially posted to the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.

Army Service record for 118459 Pte Harry Hubbard, a boundary labourer from Sheepbridge in Chesterfield

However, before they could reach their unit they were transferred to the 1/6th (and 1/5th) Battalions, presumably to make up for losses during the storming of the Hindenburg Line between 29th September and 3rd October. This would be one of the last reinforcements that the 1/6th received – possible reinforcement number 57.

On this day 5th January 1918: The following Awards were announced in the London Gazette

Military Cross: Captain FW Hipkins

Mentioned in Dispatches: Lieut Colonel BW Vann, Captain E Kershaw MC, 1865/240304 Sgt F Pott

Distinguished Conduct Medal: 2113/240421 Sgt J Atterbury

Meritorious Service Medal: 2135/240431 Sgt HG Benstead, 1663/240203 Sgt H Hodgkinson

Frederick Wystan Hipkins

Fred Pott

Harry Gordon Benstead

Edward Kershaw

Bernard William Vann