The Argus, 3rd November 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins
Military Medal
The Military Medal has been awarded to Sergt. Richard Head, Royal Field Artillery, the eldest son of Mr. Head, of 15 Orchard-place, Rushden. Sergt. Head had served for twelve years in the Army. He had returned to civilian life when war broke out, but he re-enlisted at once. Congratulations will fall to this hero, and also to Mr. Head, senr., who has two other boys serving in the Forces.
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Rushden Echo, 17th November 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins
Saving British Shells from a Blazing Gun-Pit
Rushden Soldier’s Brave Action
In our issue of Oct 27th we reported that Sergt. Richard Head, R.F.A., son of Mr. Austin Head, of 15 Orchard-place, Rushden, had been awarded the Military Medal. Mr. Head has now received a letter from his son giving particulars of the manner in which he won the medal as follows:-
“I have been through the biggest part of the British offensive. Our battery was being very heavily shelled by the Boches, and one gun-pit and one ammunition pit were set on fire. One man was in the gun-pit and had his leg shattered. The Commanding Officer and I rescued him. I then entered the ammunition pit alone, to put out the fire. I succeeded in saving a good number of high explosives. While I was in the pit some shells were burning furiously. Anyway, I got the fire under control, thereby saving perhaps the battery. Since then the man I helped to rescue has died, and my Commanding Officer has been wounded.
Sergt. Head has two brothers, Corpl. W. Head (Grenadier Guards) and Capt. Henry Head (R.F.A.), both serving on the western front. All the three brothers have so far come through unscathed.
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Rushden Echo, 5th January 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Soldier Honoured - Military Medalist Gains a Bar
Sergt. R Head’s Further Distinction
We are pleased to report that Sergt. Richard Head, of the R.F.A., eldest son of Mr Austin Head, of 15, Orchard-place, Rushden, has achieved further distinction on the field. Some time ago we reported that he had been awarded the Military Medal, and the gratifying news has now been received that he has won a bar to be added to the coveted decoration, in addition to an award of £20.
 Details of Sergt. Head’s action which led up to this further distinction are not yet to hand, as the soldier, with true hero’s modesty, merely mentions in a letter to his wife that he has received the new award above mentioned.
Mr Head received the further welcome news recently that another of his soldier sons—William Head, of the Grenadier Guards—has just been promoted to lance-sergeant.
It is interesting to recall how Sergt. Head obtained his Military Medal. In a letter received some time after he had won the distinction he wrote:- “I may as well tell you what I got my Military Medal for. First of all, I must tell you I have been through the biggest part of the British offensive. Well, our battery was being very heavily shelled by the Bosches, and one gun-pit and one ammunition-pit were set on fire. One man was in the gun-pit and had his leg shattered. The Commanding Officer and myself rescued him. I then entered the ammunition-pit alone to put out the fire. I succeeded in saving a good number of high explosives. While I was in the pit some shells were bursting furiously. Anyway, I got the fire under control, thereby, perhaps, saving the battery. Since then the man I helped to rescue has died, and my Commanding Officer has been wounded.”
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