Great War heroes honoured back home

Company Sergeant Major George Piquet, MM, born in 1884, the son of George Clement and Eva Piquet, was brought up at the Jersey Home for Boys and served with the East Lancashire Regiment. He was honoured at the Town Hall on 26 October 1916. Already wounded twice by this time, his award of the Military Medal was for conspicuous gallantry in the field on 7 July 1916. He 'gallantly held an advanced position till reinforcements arrived, and this despite the fact that he had been badly wounded in both legs'. After the war ended, George Piquet married Mary Eliza Le Dain East in 1922

Regimental Sergeant Major James Philip Alexander, DCM. His award was for 'consistent good work and the greatest coolness and bravery under hazardous conditions and at critical periods' during his service in the Gallipoli peninsula. Described as one of five sons, one of whom was killed in action in 1915, there is some confusion over his ancestry. We believe that he was actually one of eight sons of Jean Alexandre and Marguerite, nee Perree. We have not been able to identify the brother who died in 1915, but his younger brother James Edward died in hospital in France in 1919 of war wounds. Four of the brothers had James as either their first or second given name

Company Quarter Master Sergeant Thomas Beuzeval, MM, was a former pupil of the National School. He was a drummer with the King's Own Regiment in India at the outbreak of war and was promoted four times in rapid succession after being sent to Europe. He was wounded three times, the third shortly after being awarded the Military Medal for an act of gallantry details of which had been withheld at the time of the Jersey presentation. Born in St Helier in 1889, the son of Pierre Auguste Desire Beuzeval, of Normandy, and Jersey-born Mary Ann Kitcher he maried Selina Jane Nicolle (1889- ) daughter of Elias Durell Nicolle, while on leave in 1915

Lance-Corporal Frederick William Gibbins, MM, was born in St Helier in 1892, the son of Frederick Joseph and Alice Ann, Nee Le Cras. A forner pupil of the National School, he volunteered for service with the Jersey Contingent and, in March 1915 he was in charge of a machine gun emplacement near Vermelles which was blown up by a German mine. While under fire he attempted to rescue his colleagues from the crater which had formed, until he was thrown to the ground when a shell burst close by and taken to hospital with concussion

Corporal Jean (John) Veler, MM, of the Dorset regiment was born in St Lawrence in 1893, the son of French couple Pierre and Yvonne. He was one of four brothers to serve in the Army during the war. Honoured while on leave in Jersey in 1916, Corporal Veler received his medal and promotion to corporal for his bravery while serving with a tranch mortar battery. He escaped with his heavy weapon while wounded, after seeing all his comrades killed. He returned to the front, lost an arm in further combat in 1918, and was repatriated to Jersey where he died in hospital of influenza. His younger brother Peter was killed in action earlier in 1918 and another was captured as a PoW

Gunner Sydney Philip de La Haye, MM, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, enlisted in August 1914 and after nearly two years service he was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field. He 'went out and repaired telephone wires that had been severed by artillery fire, while at all times under heavy enemy fire, thus enabling communication to be maintained between infantry and artillery'. He was born in 1896, the son of Philip Charles Francis de La Haye and Maria Leontine Drouet. Soon after his Town Hall presentation he returned to fight in France

Company Quartermaster Sergeant Claude Hamilton Reynolds, DCM, born in St Brelade in 1887, the son of William Alfred and Ann, formerly a member of the Jersey Militia. He left Jersey for Edmonton, Canada, in 1911, and as soon as war broke out, he enlisted in the 4th Canadaian Battalion. He had two brothers also serving during the war, his elder brother George Francis, who also emigrated to Canada and also won the DCM, and their younger brother Wilfred, who was a private in the Dorset Regiment. CQMS Reynolds was awarded the DCM for his bravery in covering a British machine gun crew on the Somme, all of whom were killed. He was then awarded a bar to the medal for leading a bombing attack against two German lines, reclaiming 1,000 yards of territory and capturing 270 prisoners, including four officers. While in Jersey he married Laura Lilian Rive Delauney, sister of Frederick, with whom he had emigrated to Canada ...

... Sergeant Frederick Delauney, MM, who emigrated to canada with Claude Reynolds, and became his brother-in-law. He was born in March 1883, the son of Leon Desire Delauney, and also joined the 4th Battalion. He received the Military Medal for his bravery in June 1916 during an attack near Ypres. After all the officers had become casualties, he rallied the men and succeeded in retaking trenches which had been lost earlier in the day.

Sergeant John Richard Frederick Walker Penney ^[3], DCM, was the son of the son of grocer/coal merchant, John Richard Penney and Jessie, nee Aubin. He received his medal in a Royal Square ceremony in August 1916 from the Lieut-Governor Major-General Sir Alexander Rochfort. He was further honoured at a Town Hall ceremony in January 1917. He was awarded his medal for his bravery in leading a team of bomb throwers on the front line over four days. He was the only survivor. He had already been wounded three times when he returned to Jersey on leave. He was later promoted second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers before being court martialled and dismissed for drunkenness and drinking with other ranks

Sergeant Charles Laugeard, DCM, was the son of John (Jean) and Elizabeth, of Samares, St Clement; one of twelve children, three of whom, Walter, Harold and Henry, also served during the war. Before the war he was married to Lillian and working as a police constable in St Helier. His first wife died in 1914. In December 1917 he remarried, to Lillian Mason, a widow of another policeman killed in action earlier that year. As a leader of bombing parties he was always in the thick of the action and he received a bullet wound in the chest during an attack on Givency. Such was the affection shown to him by his former colleagues that there was a full parade of the St Helier Police Force and the Fire Brigade at the ceremony to honour his bravery at the Town Hall in 1917. He returned to action in France but was killed in action in 1918, leaving his wife a widow for the second time

Bombadier Walter Alan Clift, MM, was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Walter Lawrence Clift, of the Jersey Modern School. The award of his Military Medal was recognised at a Town Hall ceremony on 24 February 1916, with the 8th Boys Brigade, of which he was previously a member, providing a guard of honour on the staircase. No details were given at the event of the action which led to the award of the medal for bravery, probably because it was sensitive and classified information at the time. Bombadier Clift, who was promoted to Lieutenant later in the war, was one of four brothers to see active service. Bertrand was a lieutenant in the RAF, Vernon a captain in the East Surrey Regiment and William Robert, a gunner with the Royal Field Artillery

Company Sergeant Major Thomas Bennett, MM, was awarded the Military Medal while serving with the 2nd Manchester Regiment, attached to the Royal Scots. In July 1916 he was one of 38 men holding a position under enemy attack when the office in charge was killed. He assumed control and continued in command for 14 hours, when the position was reinforced. At that point only six men remained alive and uninjured. We have not been able to identify CSM Bennett's parents with any degree of certainty but we believe that he may have been the son of Thomas Daniel Bennett and Matilda Jane Asplet. He is known to have been one of the founder members of the St James Boys Brigade detachment.

Acting Staff Quartermaster Sergeant William Parker, MM. A member of the Royal Army Service Corps, a non-combattant unit, he was one of few to be awarded the Military Medal. He was involved in moving supplies during heavy fighting at Ypres and was also noted for 'consistently good and unsparing service during the whole of the campaign'. QMS Parker told the assembly how important the support of his wife had been, and how he hoped that his young son would one day treasure the gold watch he had been awarded. After the presentation he left for officer training in England, having been recommended for a commission. ^[4]

Private William Chazuel, MM, joined the Army in 1911, having previously been rejected because he was not tall enough. He was the elder son of William Chazuel, originally from Cornwall, and Alice, nee Gibbins, who were living in Pier Road. His younger brother Walter Frederick also joined the Army. William was a pioneer in the Royal Engineers and went to France to fight at Mons in August 1914. Two years later he won the Military Medal for repairing telephone wires under barrage at Guillemont ^[5]. The medal was presented to him in Jersey by Lieut-Col L T Bowles, of the Royal Jersey Garrison Battalion

Regimental Sergeant Major Jack (John) Dournald Le Breton, DCM. A prominent member of the Jersey Contingent, RSM Le Breton served at the front continuously from December 1915 until he returned to Jersey on leave in September 1917. He had become known as the 'father of the Jersey boys serving with the Royal Irish Rifles'. During his two years in France has was awarded the DCM and the French Medaille Militaire. On one occasion he risked his life to save comrades in a dressing station being shelled by the enemy. On another he captured two Germans hiding in a mine shaft. He was later awarded the Military Medal and possibly the French Croix de Guerre, although this may have been confused with the earlier award of the Medaille Militaire. He is recorded as born in 1884, the son Philip and Elizabeth, of Ann Street, but no other details of his parents and ancestry have yet been discovered

Corporal Vernon Andrews, MM. Vernon Harold Andrews, who served in the RAMC, was awarded the Military Medal and bar. The son of William Victor Andrews and Alice Charlotte, nee Sinel, of 23 Clearview Street, St Helier, he was in the Army at the same time as his brother Willie. In September 1917, following a service at the Town Church, Cpl Andrews' bravery was recognised at a Town Hall reception. In May 1915, while himself injured by an intensive barrage on the British trenches, he dressed the wounds of his colleagues, organised stretcher parties and remained with his wounded until this task was accomplished. Two years later, in a similar bombardment, he again tended to his wounded colleagues while under fire. His luck ran out in March 1918 when, in similar circumstances, a bomb exploded next to him at the front

Rifleman Joseph Charles Vickers, MM, was formerly in the Jersey Militia and originally part of the Jersey Contingent, he was in the 2nd Battalion of the Hampshires. He was one of three men who left the trenches to repair damaged telephone wires while under heavy shell fire, and modestly described this brave act as 'just a stunt'. It was described by St Helier Constable John Pinel as 'a brilliant example of what loyalty and devotion to duty really stand for'. Born in St Helier in 1896, he was the eldest of three children of Joseph Richard Vickers and Delphina Letto. After the war he married Eileen Frances Emily Lillicrap (1894- ) in London in 1923

Corporal Henry Francis Journeaux, MM, was the son of Alfred Francis Journeaux and Ellen Augusta Lavinia Stephens, of Philips Street, St Helier. At the time of joining the Army he was living in Kensington Place, St Helier, and working for the Victoria Dairy Company. A member of 7th Royal Irish Rifles band he was wounded at Guillemont/Ginchy in September 1916. Evacuated for treatment to the Red Cross Hospital in Gloucester he returned to the front in 1917. In the fighting at Frezenberg in the third Battle of Ypres, he won the Military Medal but was severely wounded in the head, back and arms.

Lance-Cpl John Allix Luce, MM, was born in St Helier in 1892, the son of John Daniel Luce and Melanie Mary, nee Allix. He attended the National School and was a member of the Jersey Contingent, serving with the Hampshire Regiment. In August 1917, accompanied by Riflemen Peter Brisset MM (see below) and Joseph Charles Vickers MM (see above) they set out to repair damaged telephone lines while under heavy bombardment, referred to at a Town Hall presentation in October 1917 by Constable John Pinel as 'a simple story, one that is quickly told, but yet another example of the unflinching determination to do and dare that has been so strong a characteristic of the British soldier's spirit in this colossal European struggle'.

Rifleman Edward Giffard served with the East Battalion RMIJ before joining the Royal Irish Rifles as a member of the Jersey Contingent. Born in 1885 he was one of three sons of Edward Sidney Giffard and Alice Ann, nee Le Breton, of St Clement, to serve in the Army. He was wounded in the figthing at Guillemont/Ginchy in September 1916, and was treated in Abbey Hospital, Beford. Returning to duty, he was wounded twice near Frezenberg in August 1917 while serving as a HQ runner. During the same period he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery. At the time of his Town Hall presentation in October 1917, even he was not clear what specific event had led to his MM award. After treatment for his injuries in Torbay Hospital he returned to transfer to 2nd Hampshire Regiment with the rest of the Jersey Company.

Sergeant George Henry Taylor, MM, of the Royal Field Artillery (1888-1974) was born in England, the son of Guernseyman Alfred John Taylor (1854-1918) and Mary Elizabeth Le Huray (1860-1900) who married in Jersey in 1878. He married Mary Elizabeth Holmes (1887-1976) in 1911 and they had two sons, Royston and William. His gun detachment was blown up at Messines, and he was the only survivor. He was also involved in a number of incidents leading to the death of colleagues. Two of his brothers died on active service and two others were still serving.

Canadian Infantry private George Gallichan, MM, who was present at the same Town Hall reception as Sergeant Taylor, was one of three serving brothers, in addition to four step-brothers all in the Army. Born in 1887, the son of Henry Thomas Gallichan and Mary, nee Hayes, he was to die in 1919 from injuries incurred during the war. He was awarded the Military Medal for his work as a battalion runner

Sergeant Sidney de Ste Croix, DCM, MM was a former pupil of the Jersey Home for Boys. He had to make five attempts to sign up before he was accepted and was rapidly promoted in the early days of the war. He was awarded the DCM in June 1916 for driving off a large enemy working party with bombs, and attacking enemy positions on another occasion. He was wounded in the neck on the Somme, repatriated, volunteered for further service at the front, took part in both battles of Arras, and was again wounded in the neck by a sniper, but continued his duties, for which he was awarded the MM. He would eventually be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Machine Gun Corps

Bombardier Philip Arthur MM, of La Falaize, St Mary, was formerly a centenier in his home parish, and served in the Boer War, before emigrating to Australia, and then returning to Jersey to enlist with the Royal Garrison Artillery for further service. Born in St John in 1878, he was the son of Philippe Nicolas Arthur and Mary, nee Mahier. He was awarded the Military Medal for onspicuous gallantry in September 1917, when he went out into the open while several Army gun pits were being bombarded by the enemy and arranged a camouflage to confuse them

Sergeant Francis Philip de Gruchy, MM, was the son of Francis William and Jane Emma, nee Gallichan; formerly a member of the Jersey militia, he served with the Royal Garrison Artillery. After his own gun had been put out of action in July 1917 he took charge of another and repelled an enemy attack, after which only he and a bombardier remained uninjured. Later in the year he was wounded in the hip and foot, and having returned to his unit from the dressing station, he was laid out by a gas attack. He spent some time in hospital before returning home to Jersey, and was due to go into a convalescent home.

Rifleman Peter Brisset, MM, of St Martin, served with the Royal Irish Rifles as part of the Jersey Contingent. He suffered no injuries until December 1917 when he was injured in the thigh, side and arm by shrapnel. He had been awarded the Military Medal earlier in the year for his bravery in repairing telephone lines with two Jersey colleagues. They were under constant fire for three days. After his presentation ceremony at the Town Hall in early 1918, he returned to action

Corporal John Le Pavoux, MM, of the Middlesex Regiment. Born in 1880 in St Peter, he was the son of Jean Marie Le Pavoux and Lucie Eugenie Augustine, nee Le Chouquet. He married Jeanne Le Poltes in St Helier in 1904 and they had three more children after John Arthur Philip (1906-1933) and Doris Pearl Christine (1907-1978). At the time of his Town Hall presentation in early 1918 he had been serving for over three years and had escaped injury, although he was hospitalised with gunshot wounds shortly afterwards. In January 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery as part of an eight-man team which recaptured an enemy position at Bullecourt, inflicing many casualties and taking 18 prisoners

Corporal Frank Thomas Drouin, MM, was a member of the Jersey Contingent and joined the Hampshire Regiment from the Royal Irish Rifles. He was born in St Peter in 1895, the son of Francis Jean Drouin and Emily, nee Battrick. He was involved in bitter fighting in August 1917, when three of his colleagues were killed. He was able to retrieve some important maps from the body of an enemy officer

Sergeant Charles Aubin Le Gros, MM, was honoured at a Town Hall presentation while on leave in April 1918, only to be killed in action later in the year on 1 October, just six weeks from the armistice. He was serving with the Royal Highlanders of Canada. Born in St Helier in 1885, the son of John Clarence Le Gros and Mary Louise, nee Renouf, he lived in England for several years before emigrating to Canada in 1912. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the takig of Hill 70 in August 1917

Quartermaster Sergeant William de La Mare, born in 1880 the son of Peter John and Mary Ann, nee Le Roy, had served in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 19 years and had been mentioned in despatches twice when he was awarded the Military Medal in 1916 for tending to the needs of wounded colleagues for three days and nights while under heavy shell fire

Corporal John Doyle, MM, of the London Regiment, saved the lives of colleagues who were severely wounded in August 1917. From St Saviour, and formerly a member of the RMIJ, he joined up on 8 August 1914 and was immediadetly posted to Malta, and was fighting in France by the end of th year. He was wounded in July 1916 and in August the following year, the wounds to his left arm leaving him still incapacitated. Earlier that month he was in charge of a ration party of 16 men, ten of whom were killed under a heavy enemy barrage. He was the only one left unwounded and tended to his colleagues before going to the front line in search of a stretcher party, thus saving their lives.

Corporal Henry John Quenault, MM, of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, returned to Jersey on leave in April 1918, the first time he had been there for 15 years. He had been awarded the Military Medal for saving the lives of five comrades who were wounded and in difficulty in the water during the landing at the Dardanelles in 1915. He had previously served in India. Born in St Helier in 1885, he was the son of Elias Philip Quenault and Louisa Emily, nee Surcouf

Corporal Harry Perks, MM, was a member of the Jersey Contingent and fought at the Somme, Messines, Ypres, Cambrai and Passchendaele. In August 1917 he was in charge of a regimental first aid post during the Ypres offensive and distinguished himself by following the attacking troops and giving them first aid as they fell, moving them to a place of safety, while under shell and rifle fire the whole time.

Petty Officer George Jeune, DSM, of Gorey, was personally decorated by King George V with the Distinguished Service Medal he was awarded for taking charge of a trawler in the north sea during an attack by a U-boat, supervising its abandonment and caring for injured colleagues during a 30-hour jorney back to the coast. Born in St Martin in 1885, PO Jeune was the son of Francis Frederick Jeune and Euphrasie, ^[6]nee Allaire

Sergeant William Penney, MM ^[7] was promoted second lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment in the field in 1918. In April 1917 he took command of his company after all the officers and the CSM were wounded or killed and successfully brought the survivors back to safety. He was a private when he first landed in France in 1914. He was the youngest son of grocer/coal merchant, John Richard Penney and Jessie, nee Aubin.

Sergeant Sidney William Mullins, MM, of the Royal Field Artillery, enlisted in 1909 and was serving in India when war broke out. He spent a year in France before being transferred to Salonica. The action which led to his award of the Military Medal was not disclosed when he was honoured at the Town Hall in November 1918. He was born in Grouville in 1893.

Corporal Reginald Carpenter, MM, was formerly a member of the RMIJ and joined up at the outbreak of war, serving in France from 9 August 1914 and remaining on active service with the Royal Army Service Corps for over four years. He was at the battlefront at Ypres and Chateau Thierry. He was selected by his colleagues to receive one of two Military Medals awarded to his company in March 1918. Born in St Helier in 1895, he was the son of John William and Gertrude, nee Gardner. In 1911 the family was living at 30 New Street. Reggie, as he was known to his five brothers and five sisters, was an apprentice cycle repairer.

2nd Lieutenant Archibald James Jouguet, MM, was the son of James and Helene, nee Payn, husband of Mary Rachel Adelaide Le Masurier, and brother of Harold, who died in a PoW camp ^[8]. He enlisted in 1905 and was attached to the Jersey Militia in the early days of the war. He was rapidly promoted and following a series of courageous acts in March 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal and commissioned as a second lieutenant. It is recorded that he supplied much needed ammunition to an advanced company while under constant shell fire. Just a week later he brought in a wounded many while under heavy machine gun and sniper fire

Regimental Sergeant-Major Duncan Johnstone, DCM, was born in St Helier in 1887, the son of Andrew and Louisa Johnstone of Blair-Atholl, Havre des Pas. He emigrated to Canada in 1905, joined the engineers, and volunteered for overseas service in 1915. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of 'fearlessness, devotion to duty and conspicuous gallantry' in operations around Paschendaele in October and November 1917. His brother Donald was killed in action in 1915 and a second brother, Herbert, was taken prisoner

Sergeant Arthur Dalton, DCM, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, enlisted in 1906 and was stationed in China when war was declared. He arrived in France in 1915 and was wounded in March 1917. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for 'general good work during the operations resulting in the capture of the Paschendaele Ridge, when he continued to work his batter under particularly difficult and dangerous conditions. We have been unable to establish his family connection to Jersey

Private Clifford Helier Bree, MM, was the eldest son of Helier John and Ann Elizabeth, nee Deslandes. He was born in 1895 and signed up in Liverpool in 1915. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps after his initial training. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in March 1917. Sent to rescue men who had suffered in an enemy attack he and his comrades were twice subject to a gas and heavy gun barrage and eventually located the wounded men and brought them back to a dressing station. He had previously been commended for gallantry in the Battle of Arras.

Corporal Arthur Godfray de Rue, MM, a corporal in the Yorkshire Regiment, was the youngest of three sons of George John de Rue and Elize Ann, nee Payn, to serve during the Great War. He was stationed in Guernsey with his regiment when war broke out and was sent to France where he took part in the retreat from Mons. In 1917 he had to assume command of his platoon while under heavy fire at Inverness Copse and lead them to safety. For his bravery he was awarded the Military Medal

Lance-Corporal Alfred Marett, DCM, of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, won his medal in June 1918 when he and seven others took possession of an important bridge, and he was one of only two survivors. Born in 1897, he was the son of Alfred George Marett and Marie Placidie, nee Bonnet

Private James Cashel, MM, of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, joined up as a member of the Jersey Contingent and had been in France for three years up to his November 1918 presentation. He was wounded during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. His award of the Military Medal followed his bravery in extinguishing a fire in a mine factory which had been shelled by the Germans during the British advance on Douai. His work with a bombardier colleague saved many lives and also Brigade Headquarters. Born in St Helier in 1896, he was the son of James Cashel (1865-1944) and Annie, nee Drewett (1869- ). He would re-enlist in the King's Royal Rifle Corps in March 1919 and marry Ethel May Cook in Essex in 1921

Lance-corporal Sidney John Renouf of the Middlesex Regiment, was born in St Helier in 1898, the son of Winter Poingdestre Renouf and Margaret Agnes, nee Carey. He joined the Army in 1915 and took part in severe fighting before Cambrai, in 1917; the retreat from Bullecourt and the advance on Douai. He was awarded the Military Medal for keeping up communication between Brigade Headquarters and his battalion in March 1918, at considerable risk to himself.

Corporal William Troy, MM, was born in St Helier in 1889, the son of Edward and Sarah, nee Kelly, he joined the Royal Engineers in April 1915 and was fortunate to come through the war uninjured, although he was gassed twice. He was awarded the Military Medal in October 1918 for delivering important despatches under heavy shell fire. He was knocked off his cycle by one explosion but continued his mission.

Private William Philip de Gruchy, MM, son of Alfred (St C) and Lizzie Hodge was a member of the Jersey Contingent, and later the Hampshire Regiment. He was wounded on 14 October 1918. Two months earlier, while under heavy fire, he volunteered to go out and repair the lines of communication between British headquarters and the front line companies, gaining him the Military Medal, to go with a parchment for another act of gallantry.

Private Frederick Sylvain Welsh, MM, of the 29th Canadians, was born in Ireland in 1884, the son of James and Florence Welsh. He was brought up in Jersey and worked in the printing trade before emigrating to Canada in 1906. He joined up in 1915 and was awarded the Military Medal in June 1918 for following a raiding party and bringing the wounded safely back to the front line. His younger brother Archibald John Welsh, who also emigrated to Canada, was also a recipient of the MM.

Private Emile Pennec, MM, was 17 when he joined the Royal Warwicks in 1917, and only 19 when his award of the Military Medal was celebrated at the Town Hall late in 1918. In March 1917 he went along the St Quentin battle front, and succeeded in bringing in a number of wounded comrades, at great personal risk. The Jersey Roll of Service gives his family name as Le Pennec, rather than Pennec, as shown in the newspaper report, and says that he was born in St Peter. This is almost certainly confusing him with an Emile Le Pennec born in that parish at the end of 1897. The 1911 census return for the Summerland orphanage in Rouge Bouillon includes an Emile Pennec, aged 11, which must have been him.

Lance-corporal Percy Albert Egre, MM, was born in St Peter in 1890, the son of Edward and Josephine, nee Le Lievre. After working as a carpenter in Jersey, he joined the Machine Gun Corps in 1917 and was taken prisoner of war the following April. During the March retreat only days earlier he had distinguished himself during a heavy enemy attack, keeping his gun going when all his comrades had been laid low by the enemy, and then assuming command of operations as the senior remaining soldier. While a PoW he was made to work in German coal mines. He told the Town Hall gathering that the food supplied was inedible and he had to rely on food parcels to survive

Bombardier Edward Amy, MM, was born in St Martin in 1893, the son of Frederick and Adeline Esther, nee Le Cornu. He joined up in 1915 and spent two years in France from October 1916 At the end of October 1918 25 out of 30 gunners were gassed and Bombardier Amy was one of the five left to work the guns, which they did successfully for more than 24 hours. The enemy was held back only 4,000 metres away until the artillery position could be reinforced

Regimental Sergeant Major John Walter Hacquoil, MM, MBE. Born in St Ouen in 1876, the son of John Bailhache Hacquoil and Julie Jane, nee Le Gresley, he served in the Royal Engineers. ^[9] He was on the H41 transport which broke down in the Bay of Biscay in April 1917. With a crew of four he took a lifeboat and rowed to the Ile de Seine to organise a tow for the stricken vessel. The MBE (or OBE) was awarded for going to the assistance of a torpedoed vessel in the North Sea in May 1918, saving 27 lives. It is unclear why he received what is essentially a civilian decoration

Sapper Walter Frederick Rumfitt, DCM, transferred from the Cameron Highlanders to the Royal Engineers, having first enlisted at the age of 16 in 1905. Born in Hampshire in 1889, the son of Walter William Rumfitt and Mary Margaret, nee O'Keefe, the family moved to Jersey in 1891. After transferring from India to France on the outbreak of war, he took part in the first and second battles at Ypres. He won the DCM for rescuing fallen comrades during the taking of Hill 60. He was one of six brothers who all served in the Army during the war

Corporal Charles Arthur Godfray, MM, was born in St Ouen in 1897, the son of George and Emely Ann, nee Webber. He emigrated to Canada in 1911 and joined the Canadian Army Medical Corps in January 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal during the Cambrai push of 1918, when under particularly difficult and dangerous conditions, he and a sergeant followed the advancing infantry and established a number of urgently needed posts for the care of the wounded, whom they proceeded to treat. He returned to Jersey after the war and married May Le Marquand at St Peter in 1929

Corporal Raymond St John Pinel, MM, born in St John in 1896, the son of John Helier and Ellen, nee Francis, he served in the 6th Battalion of the Dorestshire Regiment. He was described as King's Corporal, but it is generally accepted that no such rank ever existed, although the debate continues to this day. He joined the Army in 1917. On 5 October 1918, accompanied by an officer, he entered a trench thinking that it was one of theirs, and encountered a German machine gun crew. Unable to retreat, they took the fight to the Germans, shot or bayoneted a number of them, seized their guns and took 14 prisoners

Yeoman of Signals Percy Denis, DSM, born in St Helier in 1889, the son of Philip Edward and Mary Stephanie, nee Hostingue, served on HMS Lion. He had been in the navy for 14 years when he attended a Town Hall reception at the end of 1918, while on Christmas leave. He had been present at the Heligoland and Jutland Battles. His award of the Distinguished Service Medal was for 'his distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy, his resourcefulness and courage in cases of extreme emergency, and his distinguished services in the Grand Fleet's destroyer flotilla'.

Regimental Sergeant Major Charles Thatcher, DSC, was born in St Helier in 1883, the son of John Charles and Jane Ann, nee Laurens. He married Emily Kate Smith in Alverstoke, Hampshire in July 1918. He joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1899 and served in Somaliland and the Persian Gulf, before the war took him to Europe. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, which was presented to him by King George V, for his actions during the Zeebrugge raid when, while serving on HMS Vindictive, he 'was mainly instrumental in conveying the heavy scaling ladders from the ship to the mole, and throughout the operation displayed great coolness and devotion to duty'.

Sergeant Percy Gosling, MM, of the Machine Gun Corps, was born in 1897, the son of Edward John Gosling and Theresa, nee Grady. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry during the Battle of the Marne in 1918. When the company he had joined was ordered to retreat, he was not told and remained at his post, holding back a German attack overnight. He remained on the front line with the infantry for a further month

Petty Officer Francis Le Ber, DSM, joined the Royal Navy in 1903 and was one of only two Jersey recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal and Bar. He was born in Grouville in 1886, the son of washerwoman Jeanne, who is shown as head of household in the 1901 census, but married. We do not know the identity of Francis' father or what happened to him. PO Le Ber was first awarded the DSM in August 1918 when he recovered an important gun while under heavy machine gun fire on the River Dwynn in north Russia. The following month he was awarded a Bar to the DSM, for leading a party of his comrades to attack a Bolshevik armoured train, forcing it to retreat

Sergeant Hedley Francis Michel, MM, was born in St Peter in 1894, the son of Louisa. ^[10] He joined the 14th Canadians in 1915 and arrived in France in June 1916. In April 1918, when in charge of a platoon, he raided and enemy trench north of Arras. They killed many of the enemy, took 56 prisoners, and brought back three machine guns and a trench mortar. The platoon suffered no serious injuries.

Private Albert Gilmore, MM, of the Canadian Field Ambulance, joined up in August 1914 and was in France by November, attached to the Imperial forces, the Canadians not having dispatched their first contingent. He received his Military Medal for a series of notable acts of gallantry on the Amiens front in September 1918. He had to cross into 'no man's land' on several occasions to rescue wounded men. Born in St Saviour in 1896, he was the son of infantry colour sergeant Thomas, and Alice

Flight Sergeant Thomas Bennett, RAF, DCM, was born in London in 1893 of Jersey parents. The family was shown as living in Halkett Place in the 1901 census. His father, Thomas Daniel Bennett, was a news editor, presumably with the Chronique de Jersey. His mother was Matilda Jane, nee Asplet. He enlisted in 1912 and served in France as early as 11 August 1914. As a member of the Royal Flying Corps he took an active part in the events leading up to the retreat from Mons. He won his Distinguished Conduct Medal on 13 September 1915 when he brought down an enemy aircraft from 11,000 feet. He was later seriously injured in the arm in another air battle

Lance-Corporal Harold William Battam, MM, was the son of John William Battam and Lydia Lucenda, nee Stone. He joined the Jersey Contingent at the age of 16, having lied and said that he was 18. He won the Military Medal in August 1918 when he took his section on a hazardous expedition into enemy lines to capture a machine gun, in the process killing two men and capturing six. He had also been commended on three other occasions

Staff Sergeant Thomas Rondel, DCM, had 20 years service with the RAMC when he was honoured at the Town Hall in 1919. He served during the Boer War and arrived in France in August 1914, attached to the First India Regiment. He was taken prisoner and spent five months at a Russian typhus camp in Germany, before being repatriated and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He then served with the Egypt Expeditionary Force from March to September 1918. Born in St Helier in 1879, he was the son of Clement Henry and Louisa Rachel, nee Hamon; and husband of Louisa Wall, whom he married in Taunton in 1904

Lance-Corporal Elias Edwin Monet ^[11], MM, born in 1896, the son of Elie Monet and Florence Ellen, nee Daw and married in 1924 to Elsie Ada Payn. ^[12] On the evening of 15 June 1918 L-Cpl Monet went backwards and forwards between his battery and Group Headquarters some three miles away. Though under heavy bombardment he got through with essential information and orders when other runners had lot their way. He went on to serve in Italy

Gunner Clive Lee, MM, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, was a reservist when war broke out and saw service in the Dardanelles, before being sent to France, remaining there until he was wounded in March 1918. He was a despatch carrier and numerous episodes of gallantry resulted in his receiving the Military Medal. Born in St Helier in 1887, he was the son of William Walter and Alice Jane Lee

Gunner Francis Perrier, MM, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, was born in Grouville in 1880, the son of Armand Perrier, born in France, and Marie, nee Le Gallais. He married Susan Commins in Plymouth in 1901 and they had five children over the next decade. He was 36 when called up for service in 1916. In March 1918, together with an officer and a comrade, he maintaned fire on the enemy for several hours, despite constant gas bombardment, and was awarded the Military Medal.

Driver Charles Thomas Henry Liron, MM, Royal Field Artillery, was born in St Martin in 1888, the son of Pierre and Augustine, nee Chasseloup. He married Louisa Caroline du Bois (1887- ), daughter of Elie Thomas, in St Helier in 2012. He was formerly a member of RMIJ. The report of his presentation at the Town Hall is missing from the scrapbook

Private Paul Holley, French Croix de Guerre. He was attached to the French Army who were acting in conjunction with British forces on the Italian front. At the Battle of Asiago, while under heavy fire, he kept communications open between the two armies. The report of his presentation at the Town Hall is missing from the scrapbook. He served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1916. He was born in St Martin in 1896, the son of Edouard and Augustine, nee Malorey

Battery Sergeant Major Ernest John Le Maistre, DCM, MC. The report of his presentation at the Town Hall is missing from the scrapbook. He was one of three brothers, the others being Albert William and George Alfred, who served in the Army. They were not born in Jersey, but their father George Alfred William Le Maistre, was born in Trinity in 1858, the son of Daniel Le Maistre and Mary Ann , nee Dorey

CSM Helier William Bree, MM, Belgian Croix de Guerre, of the Hampshire Regiment, joined the Army with the Jersey Contingent. The report of his presentation at the Town Hall is missing from the scrapbook. He was the son of Helier and Jane Elizabeth, nee Atkins, of Hue Street, St Helier. His younger brother Harold served in the Royal Engineers

Chief Petty Officer William Philip Le Sauteur, Medaille Militaire, was born in St Saviour in 1878, the son of Thomas Jean and Eliza Jane Le Sauteur and in 1904 he married Sara Elizabeth Osborne at St Helier and they had two sons. He served for 26 years in the Royal Navy, from the age of 15. He was awarded the Medaille Militaire for his performance at the Battle of Jutland. Among his other decorations were the Meritorious Service Medal and the Queen's South African Medal

Sergeant George Le Gresley, MM, Royal Engineers, was a reservist when he was called up in August 1914. He served on the Western Front for 18 months and then moved to Serbia, where he was awarded his medal for securing an important position during an advance. He was from St Martin and was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre. We have not been able to identify his parents

Sergeant Thomas George Cross, MM, of the City of London Battalion Royal Fusiliers, joined up in 1915 and served for two years in Salonika. He moved on to France and at Le Catelet in 1918, when the Army's advance was being held up by machine gun posts, he and four men were detailed to attack them, killing all the gun crews with the exception of two men taken prisoner. Only Sgt Cross and one other returned, and he was awarded the Military Medal. He was born in Weymouth, the son of Agnes Cross

Private Edward Thomas Le Cocq, MM, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, joined up in 1916, at the age of 17. While advancing in October 1918 at Serainville, he and an officer took out two enemy maching gun posts, killing the enemy and capturing their guns. Edward lived in High Street, St Aubin, with his livery stable manager father Thomas, his mother Mary, nee Giles, and three sisters

Battery Quartermaster Sergeant Edward Cauvain, DCM, Royal Field Artillery, was a reservist at the outbreak of war and was four and a half years on the Western Front. After taking a dying officer back behind the lines an enemy shell dropped into an ammunition pit nearby and he succeeded in diverting a small stream while under fire to put out the resulting blaze, leading to his award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Edward was born in Guernsey in 1887, the son of Peter Joseph and Louisa Cauvain and brought up in Jersey

Trooper William Charles Gawley, DCM, of the Fort Garry Horse, Canadian Cavalry, was born in St Ouen in 1897, the son of Francis Alfred and Mary, nee Le Lievre. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal as part of a small party of Canadian cavalry which attacked German positions. His horse was killed beneath him but he crawled on and killed the crews of several machine gun posts. He was recommended for a Victoria Cross but received the next highest decoration,

Sergeant George Edward Yates, DCM, Royal Garrison Artillery, was not born in Jersey but had lived there for a dozen years before the outbreak of war and married a local girl. A time-serving soldier, he was serving in China and went to France in 1915 to serve with siege batteries until the Armistice. The London Gazette announcement of his award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal read: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This reliable and capable non-comissioned officer has set a fine example of steadiness under fire and of disregard of danger at all times'.

Corporal John William Romeril, MM, a stretcher bearer with the Royal Army Medical Corps, was serving with the Militia at the outbreak of war and joined the Army in September 1914. He was sent to France in July the following year. He was awarded the Military Medal in October 1918 for bravery in recovering and tending to the wounded while under fire at Gouzencourt. The son of George Francis Romeril and Mary, nee Rice, he was born in St Helier in 1899

Lance-Corporal Peter Perrin, MM, 203 Field Company Royal Engineers, joined in March 1917 and went to France in September of that year, remaining on the Western Front until the end of hostilities. He was awarded the Military Medal for his part in rushing an enemy salient on the Somme, following up a bayonet attack by infantry while under machine gun fire. He was born in Trinity in 1892, the son of French immigrants Julien Marie Perrin (1866- ) and Isabelle Marie Francoise Jouny (1873- ). After the war he married Alice Harriet Syvret

Driver Walter Philip de La Cour, MM, Royal Field Artillery, had served for 17 years when he was honoured at the Town Hall in 1919 and survived the whole war without being wounded. Exact details of the act which led to his award of the Military Medal were not given, but a report from his company lieutenant declared: 'I have always regarded him as one of the best men in my section, both as regards work and character'. He was born in St Helier in 1888, the son of Philip John and Elizabeth, nee Romeril

Sergeant William James Pattimore, DCM, MM, of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, moved to Jersey in about 1909 and served with the West Battalion RMIJ before being mobilised in 1914. His bravery in action was recognised on a number of occasions and he was promoted to sergeant on the field of battle. The London Gazette notice of his medal awards recorded his 'conspicuous gallantry and initiative during an attack in which hundreds of prisoners, many machine guns and three field guns were captured. He set a very fine example of courage and devotion to duty

Sergeant Robert William Hodge, MM, joined the Army in 1911 and was sent to France in August 1914. He won his Military Medal while fighting in the village of Ors in the final days of the war in November 1918. He rescued two badly wounded comrades and carried them to a first aid post. He attended a Town Hall reception in July the following year. Sgt Hodge had formerly attended the Jersey Home for Boys, and served with the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment

Sergeant Albert Walter Marshall, MM, was a member of the Jersey Contingent and later served with the Dublin Fusiliers, arriving in France in December 1915 and remaining on the Western Front until the war ended. During the advance in the autumn of 1918 he volunteered to attack a machine gun post and his party captured the gun and brought back an officer and entire gun crew. He had been brought up at the Jersey Home for Boys and was working at the Victoria Club when he joined up

Private Walter Coutanche, MM, of the 50th Battalion Canadian Regiment (Alberta Contingent) was born in St Lawrence in 1888, the son of farmer John (1849-1936) and his wife Annie, nee Wilson. He emigrated to Canada some time after 1911, having worked as a clerk in Hill Street, and joined up in 1916. He saw active service in 1917 at Passchendaele. The following year he moved away from his company to attack an enemy machine gun nest, successfully eliminating it during the heat of battle. He was honoured at the Town Hall in July 1919 and then returned to Canada, where he lived until his death in 1980

Regimental Sergeant Major Arthur Samuel Gray, Royal Engineers, MM, MSM, was a time-serving soldier with the Royal Engineers when war broke out. He was born in St Helier in 1883, the son of John Edward Baskerville Gray and Charlotte Ann, nee Warbarton, and was highly regarded for his service throughout the war. He obtained the Meritorious Service Medal and the Military Medal for his work in running divisional stores over several years and training all ranks in horsemanship, drill and general smartness

Corporal Frederick James Walker, MM, Canadian Infantry, joined up in 1914 while attached to the Canadian Militia. In April 1915 during fighting at Ypres, he took charge of two platoons, all senior officers and NCOs having become casualties. He was able to rally his men to hold their position only 25 yards from the German trenches. Born in St Helier in 1894, he was the youngest son of Frederick John (1859-1934) and Ellen Amelia, nee Miles, and great-grandson of James Walker, who moved to Jersey from Devon in 1842 as a Navy pensioner

Company Sergeant Major Arthur du Feu, Croix de Guerre, Medaille Militaire, was a time-serving soldier, attached to the permanent staff of the RMIJ on the outbreak of war. Born in St Helier in 1883, the son of Philip Walter and Alice, nee Kirk, he joined the Seaforth Highlanders. In July 1918 he took command of his company when all the officers became casualties, organised its withdrawl from a forward position and sent parties to carry back the wounded

Driver William George Richard Purchase, MM, Royal Army Service Corps driver, was born in St John in 1883, the son of William and Augustine Le Montaut. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry in driving a motor ambulance to St Jean on 19 December 1915 after a gas attack, while the roads were heavily shelled, effecting the removal of many severely wounded men

Chief Stoker Thomas Mann, DSM, was born in St Helier in March 1882, the son of Thomas and Martha. He served in the navy from 29 May 1900 to 17 June 1922, when he was pensioned. Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his services in action in the straits of Otranto in the Adriatic on 15 May 1917, on board HMS Bristol. He was in the engine room in charge of steaming during a prelonged attack on three enemy mine layers

Lance-Corporal William Quenault, DCM, 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, was a serving soldier at the outbreak of war and was in France by 14 August 1914. In July 1915 during the original battle of the Somme he single-handedly took out an enemy machine gun, killed its crew and turned the gun on the German lines, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. We have no definite information about his family, and strangely he is not listed in the Roll of Service 1914-1918. We believe, however, that he was probably William Albert Quenault, born in 1880, the son of Francis and Eliza, nee Sebo

Company Sergeant Major Christian d'Authreau, Medaille Militaire, was one of three brothers, sons of Jean Jacques d'Authreau and Fanny Britenden Healey, who served in the war, together with three cousins, also brothers. A stalwart of the Jersey Contingent, he served with the Royal Irish Rifles. He was awarded the Medaille Militaire for continued distinguished services throughout the campaign, although why he received this French decoration rather than the British Military Medal has never been explained

Private Ambrose Archibald Carter, MM, an ambulance driver with the Royal Army Service Corps, he had previously worked as a chauffeur in Guernsey. He was awarded the Military Medal for volunteering to bring in wounded comrades under particularly heavy shell fire, day and night for several days. He was born in St Helier in 1890, the son of Charles Henry and Emily, nee Chick,

Rifleman Charles James Chapman, MM, served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps. He joined up on the outbreak of war and arrived in France in June 1915. He was wounded and gassed in July 1918 after several years on the Western Front. In April 1919 he was awarded the Military Medal when he volunteered to rescue a comrade who had been badly wounded in fighting against the Red Guard Army, and then take him behind the lines to a field hospital, carrying him part of the way. He turned out to be another Jerseyman by the name of Machon

Able Seaman Francis George Noble, CGM, Medaille Militaire, was born in St Helier in 1884, the son of Frederick Charles Noble and Louisa, nee Darke. He married Edith Daisy Hooker in Portsmouth in 1910 and their daughter Daisy was born the following year. He served in the Navy for 20 years, escorting the Canadian Contingent on HMS Glory and then supporting the Dardanelles landings. At the time he was the only Jerseyman who had won the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, and he also won the Medaille Militaire