THE FRANCE AND FLANDERS OPERATIONS MILITARY MEDAL AWARDED TO PRIVATE G.W. BELL, 2ND BATTALION ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY, ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION, WHO SAW SERVICE WITH THE ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION IN SALONIKA BEFORE GOING ON TO WIN A MILITARY MEDAL WITH THE ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION DURING THE BATTLE OF AVELUY WOOD, 6TH APRIL 1918. Military Medal, George V (officially impressed: PLY-1068(S) PTE. G.W. BELL. 2/R.M.L.I.). Few minor rim nicks and bruises, otherwise Very Fine.
With photocopied service papers, photocopied extracts from the regimental history, "Britain's Sea Soldiers", and photocopied extract from the London Gazette re. the award of Bell's Military Medal, which was announced 6/8/1918, page 9233.
Born 23/10/1895 at Mottram, Cheshire, George William Bell enlisted into the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 31/8/1915. At the time of enlistment he was 19 years old and gave his trade as that of Woollen Feeder. On enlistment Bell was posted Private, to B Company, Plymouth Division. Service papers confirm service with the Royal Naval Division, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 28/2/1916 to 6/6/1916, and with the British Expeditionary Force in France, 7/6/1916 to 17/2/1919 (the 2nd RMLI sailed from Mudros for France on 7/6/1916).
Prior to Bell's arrival in the Mediterranean theater of operations, the Portsmouth and Plymouth Battalions RMLI had been amalgamated, on 27/7/15, following heavy losses by both battalions during the Gallipoli campaign. The amalgamated battalion joined 2nd Brigade, 63rd Royal Naval Division, on 2/8/1915. On 12/8/1915 the Portsmouth and Plymouth Battalion was renamed 2nd Battalion RMLI. By the time Bell joined the 2nd Battalion RMLI, it was serving in Salonika, having embarked from Mudros for that theatre of operations on 22/2/1916. The following details regarding the services of the 2nd Battalion RMLI in Salonika have been extracted from the regimental history.
"On 22nd February, the 2nd Brigade Headquarters, with 1st and 2nd R.M.L.I., Howe and Anson Battalions, 3rd Field Ambulance and 3rd Field Company Engineers embarked for Stavros, on the right flank of the Salonica Army. The Battalions embarked at one and a half hours notice, and landed at Stavros the next day, here they were attached to the 27th Division in the sector of the 80th Brigade. The 2nd R.M.L.I. went up the mountains and relieved a battalion of the Rifle Brigade. They were holding the sector from the sea, in the Gulf of Orfano to the Beshik Geul (Lake). The 27th Division were holding the line up to the eastern end of the next lake, the Langaza Geul. The troops had moved to this sector by sea, but pack transport and the guns had managed to march across the hills, along the most difficult tracks, as there were then no roads from Salonica good roads were made later. The Brigade was employed entrenching a position on the hills sleeping billets were made of sticks and waterproof sheets. About 20 miles in front was a Greek Division, but no one knew which side they were going to take, and at that time the Bulgarians were hesitating on the frontier there was no line of retreat, as the hills behind were impassable and the only tracks ran parallel to the front. Supplies came by sea from Salonica, and were landed at a pier, which was several times washed away. ... The bay was netted, so that monitors and ships bombarding could lie in safety from the submarines. The hill air and good climate, at that time the malaria of the Struma Valley had not shown itself, did everyone a lot of good, after their trying experiences on the Gallipoli Peninsula. On 3rd April, the Battalion returned to the shore and was inspected by the Divisional General on 8th returning to the line on 12th. They remained here until they were recalled to Mudros, to prepare to go to France, the 1st R.M.L.I. embarking on 13th and 2nd R.M.L.I. on 17th. "
After Salonika the 2nd Battalion RMLI saw service in France, again with the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Perhaps the most famous action they took part in in France was their first action there, the Battle of the Ancre, 13th - 15th November 1916, when the 2nd Battalion RMLI, despite the fact that no-mans land was being heavily shelled at the time, and large sections of it knee deep in mud, attacked dribbling a football in front of them.
Regimental history confirms that Bells Military Medal was awarded for the counter-attack delivered by the 2nd Battalion RMLI during the battle of Aveluy Wood, 6th April 1918. The following account of that attack is taken from the regimental history:
"In the early morning of 6th April the 2/R.M.L.I. moved into a position of readiness north-west of Aveluy Wood. At 2:30 a.m. on 6th the line was intact, but later the position became more obscure and at 7:45 a.m. 2/R.M.L.I. came up in support of 1/R.M.L.I. About 9:30 a.m. the two Battalion commanders, Lieut-Colonel Fletcher and Major Clutterbuck organised a counter-attack which was most successful in re-establishing the line. Captain G. A. Newling who was 2nd in command of 2/R.M.L.I. made a bold and valuable reconnaissance under heavy fire prior to the attack. He personally established touch with the 4/Bedfords on the left, and then finding that the counter-attack, which had already commenced, was checked, he dashed forward and followed by men of the right company, assaulted a nest of machine-guns which was holding up the attack the personal example and great bravery of this officer contributed largely to the success of this operation, during which 55 prisoners and 10 machine-guns were captured. Captain Newling was awarded a bar to the Military Cross which he had won so gallantly at Gavrelle Windmill. The line was consolidated under heavy shell fire, and both Battalions re-organised with 1/R.M.L.I. on right and 2nd on left. Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher was awarded the D.S.O. for his gallant and successful leadership in the fighting and counter-attack in Aveluy Wood, as was also Major Clutterbuck for his share in the successful counter-attack. The Military Medal was awarded to many N.C.O.'s and men.
The London Gazette announcement of Bells Military Medal gives his home town as Greenfield. His place of birth, full name, Mottram St. Andrew, is a small village approximately north-east of Macclesfield in Cheshire.
