Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
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218040
Pte. John Gilchrist MM.
British Army 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
from:Baillieston, Glasgow
My Grandfather Pte. John Gilchrist served with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 8th Battalion and was awarded the MM for "Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as runner at Bde HQ during the offensive from 7th to 10th June 1917 near Ypres. He carried messages through heavy fire continuously for three days. He showed an utter disregard of danger, and set a high example to other runners." This extract is from the original commendation for MM signed by the Lt Col AA &QMG., 23rd Division which I still have.
He was casevaced home after he and the C.O. were injured. He lived until the 1950s but was not in great health. He first heard of his commendation for the MM when he was in hospital.