A WW1 'Old Contemptibles' Military Medal & 2nd Award Bar, 1914 Star Trio, Medal Group awarded to 69305 Sgt W. Goddard, 15th Battery, Royal Field Artillery.

Walter Goddard was born during 1892 at Hockley, Warwickshire, and attested on the 11th March 1912, joining the ranks of the Royal Artillery.

Walter disembarked France on the 16th August 1914 with the 16th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. The 15th Battery R.F.A. were to see extensive action during 1914 at the Battle of Mons, the subsequent retreat from Mons, the Battle of the Marne, the Battle of Aisne and the 1st Battle of Ypres.

Walter was awarded the Military Medal which was Gazetted on the 15th December 1916, and he was later wounded in action, being shot in the right leg, on the 30th November 1916. He was repatriated back to England and then returned to the Western Front on the 21st March 1917. Walter was to then win a second award bar to his Military Medal which was Gazetted on the 16th July 1918.

M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916 - This Gazette was a non-immediate award for March to June 1916 with many noted for Hohenzollern Redoubt.

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 16 July 1918 - This is the third main Gazette for the March offensive and covers the award for March -April many citations quoted for operations west of the Somme.

The medals are mounted for display, sold with copied research, and are as follows –

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, 69305 CPL. W. GODDARD. 15/BY: R.F.A.; 1914 Star, with Original clasp, 69305 GNR: W. GODDARD. R.F.A.; British War and Victory Medals, 69305 SJT. W. GODDARD R.A. – B.W.M renamed,

Condition, good very fine

The award of the clasp to the 1914 Star, whilst original, has not been confirmed.