A RARE & UNUSUAL MILITARY MEDAL
with "MEDITERRANEAN MEDAL"
& 1914-15 TRIO, GROUP OF FIVE.


To:
4921 / 12774 Pte E. MORTIMER. 3rd & 11th W.YORKS REGt & ROYAL FLYING CORPS.

(A MAN IN LOTS OF ARMY TROUBLE WITH TWO IDENTITIES !)

[THE MEDALS]
MILITARY MEDAL: 12774 Pte E.MORTIMER.11th W.YORKS REGt
MEDITERRANEAN: 4921. Pte. MORTIMER. WEST YORK REGt.
TRIO: 12774 Pte E. MORTIMER. W. YORK. R.
(Also served with the R.F.C. as 138793)

[BIOGRAPHY]
Ebenezer Mortimer was born in Batley, Leeds on 25th October 1883. He is see on the 1891 census living with his parents, Albert & Ada and his three sisters, Mary, Anne & Lilley. After leaving school he followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a coal miner. His first period of military service was as a member of 3/Yorks & Lancs regiment from which he was discharged by purchase prior to rejoining 3rd "Militia" West Yorkshire Regt on 5th March 1900. Interestingly, on the medal toll for the Mediterranean medal no first initial is shown against his name age hence his medal is named as just "4921 Pte MORTIMER West York Regt. He had however (for reasons unknown) used the name "Edward" for these first two enlistments.

On 18th July 1902 he is then seen joining the regular army with an attestation for the 11th Hussars at Chatham. Just fifteen days later on 2nd August 1902 he deserted for 16 days with a return on 18th. Tried & convicted to 21 days imprisonment. Returned to duty 20th September and deserted again for four days for which he was again confined for 25 days. Tried on 24th October 1902, convicted to 112 days imprisonment. Returned to duty 13th February 1903. During his time in prison he was discharged from the Army for Misconduct on 26th November 1902 with all previous service forfeited.

[GREAT WAR SERVICE]
When the Great War came along he is again seen joining up ....this time on 5th September 1914 in his real name of "Ebenezer" under which he operates for the remainder of his time in the services. He clearly used this name to prevent the detection of his previous bad record with the 3rd West Yorks regiment.

He entered France with West Yorks Regt on 27th August 1915. He was wounded twice during WW1 with a gunshot wound to the left arm in 1916 & then a serious gunshot head wound in 1917. He is entitled to silver war badge No.2684. On 26th February 1918 he was transferred to The Royal Flying Corps (as 138793) and hence served with the R.A.F. from 1st April 1918 until his discharge as 'unfit for further service' on 12th December 1918.

A very interesting group to an unusual man. Complete with much research paperwork & attestation documents.

£1550 with part-exchanges welcome.