Miltary Honours for Three Brave Men
Pte. John Norris, the youngest son of Mr. Chas. Norris, of Wellingborough-road, Irchester, has twice been commended for gallantry. The first occasion was in the battle of the Somme, where he left the trenches and went over to the German trench, fetching in a machine gun, and killing the gun crew. The following is a copy of the Major-General’s observations:- “No 17968 Pte. F. J. Norris, Northants regiment,—I have read with great pleasure the report of your Regimental Commander and Brigade Commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on 14th July 1916, during the battle of the Somme.—F. J. Maxse, Major-General Commanding Division.”—Eye witnesses of the incident, writing home, express great admiration of the daring of Pte. Norris.

He was again singled out for special mention for his conduct at the capture of Thiepval, and Major-General Maxse reports:- “Pte. F. J. Norris, Northants Regiment,—I have read with great pleasure the report of your Regimental Commander and Brigade Commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on 26th September 1916, at the capture of Thiepval.”—Pte,. Norris, in writing home, says he has been recommended for the D.C.M., but would have preferred his “ticket,” as they are up to their necks in mud just now.

Pte. F. J. Norris	2nd-Lieut. E. Percival	Sergt. H. B. Riddle

Second-Lieut. E. Percival, of the Hussars, whose mother lives at Irchester, has got the D.C.M. for work done in September, and has been promoted to second-lieutenant, Norfolk Regiment.

Sergt. H. B. Riddle, the eldest son of Mr. Riddle, our Irchester-correspondent, 15th London regiment (Civil Service Rifles), has been awarded the D.C.M. for work in connection with the retaking of High Wood on September 15th. He is an old Wellingborough School boy.

Irchester—Sergt. Harold Riddell, D.C.M., eldest son of Mr. George Riddell, of Irchester, has been presented with a gold watch from the office staff of the National Health Commissioners at Maida Vale, London, in recognition of his winning the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Sgt. Riddle Honoured—On Friday last, at Hazeley Down Camp, Winchester, at parade of the London regt. (Civil Service Rifles), the following order was read by the commanding officer: “1817 Sergt. H B Riddle, London Regt. The King of Italy has been graciously pleased to confer on this N.C.O. the Bronze Medal for Valour. Congratulations from the officer commanding the London regt., and also congratulation from the General Officer commanding the Division.”

Driver Albert York

A Courageous Driver Gets the Military Medal
Driver Albert York, A.S.C., attached to the 54th Field Ambulance, had been awarded the Military Medal.

Driver York has been in the Army two years seven months, and two years in France, He was at home at Irchester on a visit a short time ago. Upon his return to his unit Major-General R.P. Lea presented him with a “certificate for gallant conduct” on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th May 1917, at Heninel in removing the wounded while under very heavy shell fire on the days and nights of the above dates. The |General complimented Driver York on the courage displayed by him in his difficult work, and informed him that he would later on be given the Military Medal, which has now been announced in the “London Gazette.”

Driver York does not seem disposed to say much as to his work on that occasion beyond that he was doing his duty under difficult circumstances which his officers have recognised.

Irchester lads have now won two Distinguished Conduct Medals, the King of Italy’s Medal for Valour, three Military Medals, and four certificates for gallant conduct. There is also a posthumous recommendation for the Military Medal in addition to the above. Our correspondent asks if any town or village in the county has a finer record.

Military Medal
The Military Medal has been awarded to Pte. H. Percival of Irchester, for bravery on the field. Before joining up he was carter for Messrs. Ellis and Everard, coal merchants, of Irchester.

Rushden Argus, May 10^th 1918, transcribed by Susan Manton

Military Medal - Honour for Another Irchester Man

Private H. Percival, of the Suffolk Regiment, son of Mr. S. Percival of Irchester, was awarded the Military Medal on March 26^th for bravery on the field. Before joining up the above soldier acted as carter for Messrs. Ellis and Everard, coal merchants, Irchester.

Award - Pte. William Salisbury, Northants Regt., son of Mr. J. Salisbury, High-street, has been awarded the Military Medal for meritorious service.

Wounded - Pte. Joseph Harry Luck, M.M., 13th Royal Fusiliers, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Luck, Station-road, was wounded in the neck in France on Oct 24th and is now in hospital at Birmingham, recovering from his wound. He joined the Colours in April 1915 at the age of 16, in the 3rd Northants Regt. He worked for Messrs. Green, Wholesale Boot Company before enlisting.

The Rushden Argus, December 6^th 1918, transcribed by Susan Manton

Irchester Military Medallist Wounded
Pte. Joseph Harry Luck, of the 13^th Royal Fusiliers, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Lack, of Station Road, Irchester, was wounded in the neck in France on October 24^th and is now in hospital at Birmingham, recovering from his wound. He has seen much service, enlisting in April 195, at the early age of 16, in the 3^rd Northants. On August 17^th last he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field under heavy shell fire. Previous to enlisting he worked for Messrs. Green, Wholesale Boot Company, Irchester.

Military Medal—Pte George Fairey, Northants Regiment, son of Mr Charles Fairey, of Chapel-yard, Irchester, has been awarded the Military Medal for good work in the field.—On September 18th, after a stiff engagement, when the losses were somewhat severe, Pte Fairey, a runner, succeeded in obtaining valuable information and in securing a fresh supply of ammunition, which was getting exhausted. He was recommended by his officers for the M.M., which he received a few days ago. Pte Fairey enlisted on November 13th, 1914, went to Egypt after training, returned to England following an attack of dysentery, and was afterwards sent to France, where he has been serving for over two years, fortunately without a scratch. Before enlisting he was employed as a milkman, etc., by Mr G E James, Irchester Grange.

The Rushden Argus, December 6^th 1918, transcribed by Susan Manton

Another Irchester Man Honoured

We are pleased to announce that another Irchestrian – Pte. George Fairey, Northants Regiment – has been awarded the Military Medal for good work in the field.

On September 18^th after a stiff engagement, when the losses were somewhat severe, Pte. Fairey, who was a runner, succeeded in obtaining valuable information and in securing a fresh supply of ammunition which was getting exhausted. He was recommended by his officers for the M.M., which he received a few days ago. Pte. Fairey, who is the son of Mr. Charles Fairey (Chapel Lane) enlisted on November 13^th 1914. He went to Egypt after training, returned to England following n attack of dysentery, and was afterwards sent to France, where he has been serving for over two years, fortunately without a scratch. Before joining up he was employed as a milkman etc. by Mr. G.E. James, Irchester Grange.