*Military Medal, G.V.R. (6887 Pte A. Bench. 1/R.War:R.), good very fine. M.M.: London Gazette: 14 December 1916 - ‘for bravery in the field’. Acting-Sergeant Arthur Bench of St Mary’s, Warwick, attested for service in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 19 July 1899. After a period of service at home, and then in Malta, he travelled with his unit to India, where he served for a total of nearly 12 years, including service on the North West Frontier in 1908. Discharged to the Army Reserve in April 1913, he was recalled for service in the Great War, serving with the 1st and 9th Battalions, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was awarded the Military Medal ‘for bravery in the field’ in the London Gazette of 14 December 1916, and for M.M.s with this gazette date, it is likely that the act of gallantry took place in September 1916, and are often awarded for small actions and trench raids (‘The Great War Medal Collectors Companion’, by Howard Williamson, refers).
Estimate: £250-£300