A very fine Company Runner’s Military Medal, GVR, awarded to Private V.E. Swan, 2nd Battalion, South African Infantry who saw service on the Western Front and was awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 13th September 1918 for his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty between 30th April and 6th May 1918 in the Ridge Wood, Vierstraat sector for constantly running messages with entire disregard for his own safety. On one occasion he passed through an enemy barrage and machine gun fire and though buried by a shell bursting near him, he extricated himself and continued his journey and safely delivered an important message while still utterly exhausted and stunned.
Military Medal, GVR, (9351 PTE. V.E. SWAN. 2/S.A. INF:)
Condition: court-mounted for wear, Good Very Fine
V.E. Swan saw service as a Private (No. 9351) with the 2nd Battalion, South African Infantry on the Western Front and was awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 13th September 1918 which covers awards in late April and early May 1918 during the later part of the German Spring Offensive.
The recommendation for the award of the Military Medal reads:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty between 30th April and 6h May 1918 in the Ridge Wood, Vierstraat Sector. This man was a Company Runner who constantly carried messages from his Company to Battalion Headquarters with entire disregard for his own safety at a critical time when communication was of the utmost importance. On one occasion he passed through an enemy barrage and machine gun fire and though buried by a shell bursting near him, he extricated himself and continued his journey and safely delivered an important message while still utterly exhausted and stunned’
