Full medal write up
MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R., WITH SECOND AWARD BAR ‘7403502 CPL. W. H. BARTLE. R.A.M.C.’, 1939-45 STAR, FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR, DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45.
M.M. London Gazette 31 August 1944:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Normandy’.
The original recommendation states: ‘At Bois de Bavent on 18 June 1944 this NCO was a stretcher bearer with a company which raided a strong enemy post. The enemy fire was heavy and accurate and several casualties were suffered. Cpl Bartle showed no regard whatsoever for his own safety and made repeated journeys into the open to bring in casualties. The CSM was killed beside him by a mortar bomb in a forward position. He was not killed instantly and hoping to save him Bartle worked his way back, got another bearer and went forward again to try and bring him back. When the raiding party returned Bartle found that two casualties had not been brought back so he immediately joined a party that was going out to bring them in. He showed the party the way out and back and left them under cover while he did the final locating of the casualties himself. His sense of duty was outstanding.’
M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 1 August 1946:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Far East.’
The following details are extracted from the report by Lt. Col. Pine-Coffin of the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion’s action at Tembalang, Java in March 1946: ‘Late in the month [March] they ran into a bit of trouble and on one of their patrol actions a section got pinned in the open as it was approaching a wood which was occupied by Indonesians. Sgt. ..., one of the veterans of the battalion who had been through all its actions with it, was killed at once and several others were wounded. Meanwhile the Independent Para Company, which was working round a flank, also ran into difficulties and suffered four fatal casualties. The extrication of the troops from this position involved the use of the artillery and some tanks and took most of the day but fortunately was carried out without further loss. Excellent work was done while the section was pinned in the open by Cpl. McCormick of the platoon and Cpl. Bartle who was in charge of the stretcher bearers, both of whom moved about freely and did very valuable work. Both were later decorated for their work; McCormick being awarded the MM and Bartle a bar to the MM which he had already won in Normandy.’
The Nottingham Evening Post, September 4, 1946 carried more information on the award of the bar to Bartle’s M.M., along with a photograph of him:
“BAR TO HIS M.M. – Surprise in Store for Nottingham Paratrooper.
There is a Nottingham man on his way back from Singapore at the moment who does not know that a decoration is waiting for him when he gets home.
He left Malaya a week ago and two or three days ago his wife had a letter saying that her husband, Cpl William Bartle, of the Parachute Regiment, has been awarded a bar to his Military Medal.
Two years ago, in the face of heavy shellfire, Cpl Bartle rescued his Major in an action in Normandy. For that he went to Buckingham Palace and received the M.M.. His latest decoration he gained in Java.
His patrol was searching for Indonesian extremist positions when it was cut off for a while by blistering enemy fire. They held on until relieved by other troops.
Cpl Bartle has been in the Army since 1939, serving with the 6th and 7th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in France and Malaya. An employee at the Raleigh Cycle works before the War, he lives at 13, Goodliffe Street, Hyson Green and is the son of Mr and Mrs W. Bartle of Saville Street, Hyson Green.”
William Henry Bartle was born in Nottingham on 4 September 1920 and joined…………….
Condition, generally GVF and better. Sold with a large amount of research, much digital, including Bartle’s full service papers, letters regarding medal entitlement, unit histories, 7 para War Diary, June-Aug 1944, 6th Airborne reports including action in Java etc etc.
A quite outstanding and very rare 6th Airborne double gallantry group.