The Military Medal has been awarded to Pte Jesse Bird, a stretcher-bearer in the 5th Northamptons. In one “stunt” he carried on his work of attending to the wounded, under a perfect hurricane of machine-gun fire, to say nothing of sniping and shelling. The work was particularly arduous, and is deserving of the highest praise.
Mrs Whitmee, of 3, Dayton-street, Rushden, has received the gratifying news that her husband, Pte Wm Whitmee, R.A.M.C., has been awarded the Military Medal for bringing in wounded under heavy shell fire. Pte Whitmee, who was called up as a reservist at the outbreak of the war, was home on a month’s leave last June at the expiration of 17 years’ service. On being called up he was sent to France, and for some time served on an ambulance train, being subsequently transferred to field duty as a stretcher-bearer.
Certificates recording Pte Whitmee’s brave deeds read as follow: “Your gallant conduct in the field on August 14th, 1918, in extricating wounded from a dressing station under shell fire of guns of heavy calibre has been reported to me, and I have much pleasure in reading a report of your gallantry.” Signed, Brigadier-General, August 17th, 1918. “Your commanding officer and brigade commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself on August 1st, 1918, by conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Under heavy shell fire you dressed and conveyed wounded to a place of safety. I have read the report with much pleasure. Awarded M.M. August 28th, 1918.
Prior to mobilisation, the gallant soldier was employed by Messrs Jaques and Clark, Rushden, and was well-known in Rushden as a footballer.
|
Rushden Echo, 15th November 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
The Military Medal has been won by Pte. Jesse Bird, C. Coy., 5th Northamptons, of High-street South, Rushden. He worked as a stretcher-bearer the whole day long, bringing in wounded under very heavy machine gun fire.
|
 |
|
Argus Newspaper
|
Rushden Argus, November 1st 1918, transcribed by Susan Manton
Military Medal
We have to congratulate Pte. William Whitmee, R.A.M.C., of 3 Dayton Street, Rushden, on winning the M.M. for saving wounded under heavy shell fire. The gallant soldier joined up at the beginning of the war and after serving on an ambulance train went to France as a stretcher bearer.
In addition to the Military Medal, the soldier has been awarded a parchment for another gallant act. The parchment reads: “Your gallant conduct in the field on August 14, 1918 in extricating wounded from a dressing station under fire of guns of heavy calibre has been reported to me and I have much pleasure in reading a report of your gallantry.” Signed by a Brigadier General and dated August 17th. The card referring to his other heroic exploit by which he won the Military Medal reads: “Your commanding officer and brigade commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself on the 1st August 1918 by conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Under heavy shell fire you dressed and conveyed wounded to a place of safety.”
Previous to joining up Pte. Whitmee worked at Messrs. Jacques and Clarke Rushden.
|
Rushden Echo, 29th November 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
We are pleased to learn that Pte Wm Whitmee, R.A.M.C., of 3, Dayton-street, Rushden, is making satisfactory progress from his severe injuries received about a month ago. He is now in hospital at Nottingham. He won the Military Medal by leaving his motor to pick up a wounded soldier from a hotly-shelled place. As he alighted, a shell burst near him and fractured his leg in two places. He has been in the Army for 17 years.
|
|
