Military Medal - ​Howard Samuel McIlwraith, MM

​Gunner Howard Samuel McIlwraith, MM has been added to our Military Medal list. He was a member of the 31st Battery, 8th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, CEF before transferring to 13th Battery, 4th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, CEF where he was awarded the Military Medal. His citation reads:
This man with others on the morning of November 3rd 1917, formed the personnel of two gun crews that went into action. These two crews kept their guns in action although during the whole period the area within a radius of 500 yards was subjected to a continuous bombardment with shells that were coming in at an average rate of twenty per minute. Ammunition was set on fire in the position and one of the shells was so close that the Gunners were knocked down by the force of the explosion. An N.C.O. and the Gunners with conspicuous bravery stuck to their guns, and maintained fire. They were absolutely without cover, and miraculously escaped injury. Within three minutes of withdrawing the men from their guns, one of the guns was hit and the whole shattered.

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