A ' Magnificent"
Gallipoli - Salonika
MILITARY MEDAL
&
Silver War Medal.
5th Bn CONNAUGHT RANGERS.
To:
790. Cpl T. (Thomas) COTTER 5/CONN: RANG. 
From "Penrhiwceiber" WALES !
Enlisted 3rd September 1914 age 25. To Balkans 9th July 1915. Badly Wounded Twice, first at Gallipoli where the unit suffered 70% casualties and 22% fatalities,with 686 officers and men killed.... & wounded again later in Salonika.
A Superb & Rare Award to a man in a unit that had one of the hardest wars imaginable. The actions and theatres of service endured by the men of the 5th Connaughts were some of the toughest of the entire war.
With two years of unbearable heat and malaria in summer and sub zero temperatures in winter on the Salonika front defending the northern borders of Greece from attack by the Bulgarian army. This man's medical record bears testimony to the shocking conditions and brutality in which these brave men fought for so long.
SERVICE HISTORY
The 5th Connaughts landed at ANZAC COVE 5th August 1915 and were at SARI BAIR on 6th August 1915. They also saw fierce action at: QUINN'S POST, LONE PINE, CHUNAK BAIR, and took part in the famous assault on HILL 60 & KABAK KUYU.
This is where Corporal COTTER received a "Bomb Wound" in his left arm and leg. He was then evacuated from Gallipoli (Mudros) and is seen again rejoining his unit at Salonika on 19th December 1915. He is seen admitted to hospital there on 23rd June 1916 with Influenza and rejoining his unit again (Salonika in the field) on 14th September 1916, where he again sustained a 'serious gunshot wound in the shoulder' on 30th September at The Battle of Yenikoi and the capture of Karajakois.
He was hospitalised in Malta in late 1916 and returned yet again to his unit in Salonika on 14th April 1917 where he was attached to the No1 Entrenching Battalion. Back in the field again in May 1917. He was admitted to hospital again with Acute Tonsillitis 3rd October 1917 until 10th November 1917.
Rejoined unit again on 16th November, and hospitalised again on 7th March 1918 where he reverted to the rank of Private. He was treated in hospital in Alexandria during March to May 1918 and is seen leaving Port Said on 23rd May 1918 for Marsailles, France where he arrived on 1st June 1918. He was granted 14 days UK leave on 1st July - 15th July 1918.
Awarded his MILITARY MEDAL on 16th November 1918 (L.G. 14/5/19 under Royal Munster Fusiliers) he was demobed on 26th December 1918.
WHAT A CHRISTMAS HOME-COMING THAT MUST HAVE BEEN.
Also entitled to a 1914-15 Star and Victory.
Comes with copy service papers, MIC and gazette copy.
Medals totally original, black as coal and uncleaned.
A RARE & MAGNIFICENT AWARD TO A MUCH SOUGHT AFTER UNIT.
(RESERVED) 'D.M.'