WW1 Military Cross unnamed as issued, British War & Victory (MID Emblem) Medals named LIEUT A K STEEL. Only named officer.
Arnold Kirk Steel born 9th May 1896 Hartlepool, son of Mrs Jane Steel of Ashfield, Park Road, West Hartlepool, Co Durham became a temporary 2nd Lt in the 19th (2nd County) Durham Light Infantry before being transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 2nd Jan 1916. He lands in France with the MGC on 3rd Mar 1916 and is made a 2nd Lt on 1st Jan 1917 and then Lt. He is noted as being missing around the 25th Apr 1918 aged 22 years old when on Mount Kemmel when with the 49th Battalion MGC "D Coy" and then being declared a prisoner of war, till he was returned on 18th Dec 1918.
He was awarded a Mention in Dispatches on LG 4th Jan 1917 and is awarded an Military Cross on 16th Sep 1918 France - For Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer controlled a nest of guns in the front line during two days attacks by the enemy. His judgement and disregard of danger when observing and directing the fire of his guns were the means of inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. He also steadied a party of infantry who were giving ground under the intensity of the bombardment.
We note after the war he may of gone back to the Durham Light Infantry in the TA. His papers on the war are at the IWM Collection.
