The Cross of Merit of War - Italian Medal

[djg145]

Hello,

My Wife's Grandfather served with the 12th Durham Light Infantry - Colour Sargent Major William Woodhead.

We have found a certificate in Italian - showing that he was awared the 'La Croce al Merito di Guerra' - The Cross of Merit of War.

Please see attached photo.

How or why would a British Soldier come to be awarded this Italian Medal?

Also found another certificate/citation for Williams honourable discharge from the Army on the 16th January 1919.

Again picture attached.

Thank you for any feedback

Dave Gosling

[IrishGunner]

Late in the War, Britain sent troops to the Isonzo (Italian Front) to help the Italians in their offensive against Austria-Hungary.

From the The Wartime Memories Project: 12th Durham Light Infantry

12th DLI was part of 23rd Division:

In November 1917 the 23rd Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd Division was midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

There is also a book written: John Sheen, "With Bayonets Fixed: The 12th & 13th Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry in the Great War"

Edited August 25, 2014 by IrishGunner

[IrishGunner]

This is what the medal looks like...

[tjnier]

Hello Dave:

The simple answer is that the 12th Durham Light Infantry served in Italy from November 1917 up to Austria's armistice on 4 Nov. 1918. After the disastrous Italian defeat at Caporetto, a joint British-French force was sent to support the Italian front against further Austrian gains. A search of the London Gazette has located 758 awards of the Italian War Merit Cross to British personnel.

[djg145]

WOW thank you all for your speedy replies - so interesting, thank you.

I have downloaded the book written: John Sheen, "With Bayonets Fixed: The 12th & 13th Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry in the Great War"

Thank you

[IrishGunner]

Our pleasure to help. And welcome to GMIC!

Perhaps you already know which British medals CSM Woodward earned (I'll guess 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal), but if you post your ancestor's name and regimental number in the Great Britain part of the forum, perhaps our UK experts can give you more information, including his medal entitlements.

Colour Sargent Major William Woodhead, 12th Battalion Durham LI, 15421

[tjnier]

Dave:

It turns out that your CSM William Woodhead also won the Mlitary Medal !! Woodhead's award of the Italian War Merit Cross appears in the London Gazette of 17 May 1919, page 6208. He is listed as "15421 Company Serjeant-Major William Woodhead, M.M.,12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. (Castleford, Yorks.). Castleford would have been his residence at the time of his enlistment, when he was assigned his regimental service number 15421.

Now you need to inquire where the Woodhead M.M. is located today. Also, you can find his M.M. award in the London Gazette by checking through its name indexes, especially those for the period 1917-1919.

Best wishes andr good luck in your research!! --- Tom Nier

[IrishGunner]

Dave:

It turns out that your CSM William Woodhead also won the Mlitary Medal !!

I had this thought when I did a search on the UK Archives. It came up with two medal cards on two different rolls.