*A Second World War Military Medal Group of 5 awarded to Acting-Corporal Vincent Byrne, 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on 5 September 1944 at Sains, France, while leading a section under heavy enemy fire, moving them out of the line of fire to a position of safety, and with Bren Gun in hand, single-handedly silencing an enemy machine gun nest, comprising: Military Medal, G.VI.R. 1st type (14603752 A. Cpl. V. Byrne. E. Lan. R.); 1939-1945 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal, 1939-1945; Group court-mounted on bar as worn, set into card for display, extremely fine, and with an excellent fighting citation (5). M.M.: London Gazette: 1 March 1945 – ‘in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe’. Full citation reads as follows: ‘During the operation culminating in the occupation of Sains on 5th September 1944, Corporal Byrne’s section came under very heavy fire from the flank. One man was killed and two others of his section wounded within a few seconds. The section was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire as was also the whole Platoon in this area. There was practically no cover and every minute in this position was costing new casualties. At this stage, Corporal Byrne got up, collected his section and gave them orders to move to a better position; to make this move possible he himself took the Bren gun and, under heavy fire, advanced to a position from which he could see the enemy machine gun post. Having got there he opened fire and silenced the enemy machine gun. He then beat down all enemy fire from this locality and covered the move of his section and the Platoon to a position from which they were able to continue.’ Private Vincent Byrne was resident at 27 Bridge Street, Swinton, Manchester.

Estimate: GBP 1000 - 1500