WW1 Military Medal named 111364 CPL W BAYLEY 10/TANK C.
William Bayley a 20 year old Smiths Mate from Kensal Town, London enlisted into the Royal West Kent regiment on 8th Sept 1914 but transferred to the 8th East Surrey Regt numbered G/3414 and landed in France on 25th Aug 1915, he was wounded in action on 4th May 1917 with gun shot wound to his right foot and sent back to the UK on 5th May 1917. He then transferred to the 10th Tank Corps numbered 111364 on 19th July 1917 and landed back in France with them on 19th Dec 1917 till 18th Dec 1918 and then discharged on 15th Apr 1919. He was awarded an MM in the 10th Tank Corps - Near Morlancourt on Aug 8th and 9th 1918, this NCO was employed as second driver to Lt McGuire. Although separated from his company and without assistance from technical staff, this NCO kept his engine running throughout the period. This tank was in action three times in two days and for a long time was in Morlancourt without any accompanying infantry. It was largely due to the NCO's gallantry and skill that this tank was enabled to perform such good work.
War diary Lt McGuire B Coy Tank No 9396 J22 cleared up a machine gun's nest south of Morlancourt taking about 300-400 prisoners on 8th Aug 1918.
