Rare WW1 medal returns to Liverpool Museum
A rare piece of World War One history has been donated to the new Museum of Liverpool, to commemorate the role of brave Liverpool soldiers in the conflict.
The Victoria Cross (VC), is the highest order of military decoration awarded to members of the British armed forces for gallantry and bravery.
This example of the medal was presented to Sergeant David Jones of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment on 3 September 1916 for his actions at the Battle of the Somme.
His actions were described in by the London Gazette, dated 24 October 1916:
"For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty, and ability displayed in the handling of his platoon.
"The platoon to which he belonged was ordered to a forward position, and during the advance came under heavy machine gun fire, the officer being killed and the platoon suffering heavy losses Sgt Jones led-forward the remainder, occupied the position, and held it for two days and two nights without food or water, until relieved.
"On the second day he drove back three counter-attacks, inflicting heavy losses. His coolness was most praiseworthy. It was due entirely to his resource and example that his men retained confidence and held their post."
Then aged 25, Sgt David Jones was sadly killed in action at Bancourt in the Somme just over a month later on 7 October 1916, and his family later presented the VC to Jones’s former employer J Blake & Co Motor Company, who have now donated the medal to National Museums Liverpool’s permanent collections...
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The Victoria Cross (VC), is the highest order of military decoration awarded to members of the British armed forces for gallantry and bravery.
This example of the medal was presented to Sergeant David Jones of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment on 3 September 1916 for his actions at the Battle of the Somme.
His actions were described in by the London Gazette, dated 24 October 1916:
"For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty, and ability displayed in the handling of his platoon.
"The platoon to which he belonged was ordered to a forward position, and during the advance came under heavy machine gun fire, the officer being killed and the platoon suffering heavy losses Sgt Jones led-forward the remainder, occupied the position, and held it for two days and two nights without food or water, until relieved.
"On the second day he drove back three counter-attacks, inflicting heavy losses. His coolness was most praiseworthy. It was due entirely to his resource and example that his men retained confidence and held their post."
Then aged 25, Sgt David Jones was sadly killed in action at Bancourt in the Somme just over a month later on 7 October 1916, and his family later presented the VC to Jones’s former employer J Blake & Co Motor Company, who have now donated the medal to National Museums Liverpool’s permanent collections...