THE OUTSTANDING WW1 1918 ‘SPRING OFFENSIVE’ MILITARY CROSS AND ‘100 DAYS’ BAR GROUP TO A CAPTAIN, ‘C’ COMPANY, 5TH YORKSHIRE’S, WITH AN EXTENSIVE AND QUITE EXCEPTIONAL ARCHIVE OF HIS PERSONAL FIELD MESSAGE BOOKS, TRENCH MAPS, BATTLEFIELD MESSAGES, PHOTOGRAPHS ETC , TOGETHER WITH A COMPLIED DIARY OF HIS FRONTLINE SERVICE 1915-18. HAVING BEEN 3 X WOUNDED DURING THE DEFENSIVE ACTION THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE AWARD OF THE M.C. HE RETUNED TO THE FRONT WITH THE 15TH K.O.Y.L.I., HIS OWN BATTALION HAVING BEEN WIPED OUT AND IN AUGUST 1918 TOOK COMMAND OF A PLATOON OF HIS COMPANY DURING AN ATTACK IN WHICH SEVERAL PRISONERS AND A MACHINE GUN WERE CAPTURED, THIS RESULTING IN THE AWARD OF A BAR TO HIS M.C.

MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R., WITH SECOND AWARD BAR, IN CASE OF ISSUE, 1914-15 STAR ‘2.LIEUT. W. E. E. GARROD. YORK.R.’, BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS ‘CAPT. W. E. E. GARROD’, THESE THREE MOUNTED AS WORN, DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45, WITH ENCLOSURE.

M.C. London Gazette 13 September 1918. For German Spring 1918 Offensive, specifically 25 March, whilst serving as a Captain of ‘C’ Company, 5th Yorkshire Regiment:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer was in command of a company in the front line, when the enemy attacked, and though the troops on his right withdrew, he formed a defensive flank and held on all morning. Although twice wounded, he remained on directing operations, showing great courage and judgement'

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 5 November 1918. For 1918 the Hundred Day Offensive, specifically 23 August 1918, now Serving as a Captain of ‘C’ Company, 15th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry:

'For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership while commanding his company in action. He reached the objective allotted to him with his leading platoon, although both flanks were in the air. He then pushed forward beyond his original objective and succeeded in clearing the road of the enemy. It was owing to his fine example that so much progress was made. His clear and accurate reports, written under fire, were of great assistance.'

War Diary notes that Garrod was awarded the Bar by the GOC Division in the square at Lannoy, 8 December 1918.

Wilfred Edwin Evan Garrod was born on 13 March 1893, the son of Reverend Canon Garrod, East Witton Vicarage, Middleton, Yorkshire. A student at the outbreak of the Great War, he was Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 28 September 1914, initially serving with the 2/5th Yorkshire Regiment before transferring to the 1/5th Yorkshire’s in France on 9 November 1918. Serving at the front (Ypres) from 19 November 1915, he was promoted Lieutenant 2 March 1916 and Captain on 28 January 1917, commanding ‘C’ Company. During early 1916, the 5th were in the trenches at Sanctury Wood and fought on the Somme, including fighting at High Wood and Flers-Courcelette. They took part in the Arras campaign in April 1917 and later at Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres). In 1918, Garrod was 3 x wounded in action on 25 March during the great German offensive and was invalided to England. It was for his actions commanding his company during the confused fighting that resulted in him being wounded, that he would be awarded the Military Cross……………

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE-UP

Condition of the medals is NEF. Research wise, included are digital copies of the War Diaries for both the 5th Yorkshire’s and 15th KOYLI covering Garrod’s entire service, along with regimental histories for both.

This really is an exceptionally complete group containing rarely seen artifacts which gives the group great research potential.