A Good Distinguished Conduct Medal  group, 1/5th battalion Manchester regiment (previously 2nd battalion Yorkshire regiment)  Died of Wounds August 1918.

Description A Good Distinguished Conduct Medal  group, 1/5th battalion Manchester regiment (previously 2nd battalion Yorkshire regiment)  Died of Wounds August 1918. Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V) 201736  Sjt J. Smith 1/5 Manch.R.; 1914 Star (5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914, bar) 6731 Pte J. Smith 2/York.R.;  British War and Victory Medals, 6731  Sjt J. Smith. Yorks.R.; Memorial Plaque, James Smith. George William Frith, served with the alias James Smith George William Frith was  born in 1888, the son of William and Mary Ann frith of Manningham, Bradford, and was married to Alice Frith of Eccleshill, Bradford. His MIC confirms his service in both the 3/5th Manchester regiment and the 2nd battalion Yorkshire regiment. landing in France on the 5th October 1914. Distinguished Conduct Medal; London Gazette 3rd September 1919: “201736 Sjt. J. SMITH 1/5th Bn. TF (Eccleshill) For conspicuous devotion to duty and consistent good work from 25th February to 17th September 1918.  He has been bparticularly active in organisation of sniping.  As a leader of offensive patrols he has always shown courage and initiative of a high order. “ For the men of the 1/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, 1918 was the year they evolved from resilient defenders into the “hammer” of the British pursuit. As a Wigan-based Territorial unit within the 127th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. 1918 began with the battalion in the relatively quiet sectors near Ypres, but the calm was shattered on March 21 by the German Spring Offensive  The 42nd Division was rushed south to the Somme to plug a crumbling line. The Defense of Bapaume: In late March, the 1/5th found themselves in a desperate “war of movement.” Gone were the deep, stable trenches; the men fought from shallow scrapes and behind hedgerows. The 42nd Division earned a reputation for stubbornness. The 1/5th held their ground against repeated German assaults, often engaging in fierce hand-to-hand fighting to prevent a total breakthrough. The Hundred Days: By August 1918, the initiative had shifted to the Allies. The 1/5th Battalion became a spearhead for the Hundred Days Offensive, the rapid series of victories that ended the war. Breaking the Hindenburg Line: Throughout August and September, the battalion moved through the old Somme battlefields, capturing high ground and clearing fortified villages. March–April   The First Battle of Bapaume Prevented the German breakthrough to the coast. August 21–23 Second Battle of Bapaume    Recaptured vital ground lost in the spring. He was wounded by a gunshot to his pelvis by a sniper, and was treated by a field ambulance . He died on the 15th August 1918 and is buried at Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt. Condition – NEF