WW1 North Russia Military Medal Group of Eight – Cpl. G. Went, 46th Bn. Royal Fusiliers – 1915 Prisoner of War

A first world war North Russia MM group of eight awarded to Corporal George Went, who was taken prisoner of war in 1915 whilst serving in the 2nd Battalion King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and later awarded a Military Medal for bravery in the field with the 46th Battalion Royal Fusiliers part of the North Russia Relief Force. 

George V Military Medal named to 131074 Pte. G. Went. 46/R.Fus. 
1914-15 Star named to 8901 Pte. G. Went. R. Lanc: R. 
British War Medal named to 8901 Pte. G. Went. R. Lanc. R. 
WW1 Victory Medal named to 8901 Pte. G. Went. R. Lanc. R. 
1908 India Genral Service Medal (Clasp – Waziristan 1921-24) named to 3949779 Cpl. G. Went. Welch R. 
WW2 Defence Medal unnamed as issued 
War Medal 1939-45 unnamed as issued 
George V Delhi Durbar 1911 Medal unnamed as issued 

The medals are in good condition and are swing mounted for wear. 

Although serving in India in 1911, George Went does not appear on the Delhi Durbar Medal roll and this is possibly a self award.

MM – London Gazette: 3rd January 1920
“For bravery in the Field with the British Forces in North Russia”.  

George Went was the son of George Went a Carpenter and his wife Catherine, he was baptised on 17th March 1889 at St John the Evangelist Church, Colchester, Essex. A 17 year 11 month old Labourer, he attested for the Royal Army Medical Corps Militia at Colchester on 1st January 1906, and was struck off strength when he fraudulently attested for the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on 11th July 1906, the 1911 census records he is serving with the 1st Battalion in India. 

George served with the 2nd Battalion King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in France from 28th April 1915. The War Office casualty list dated 2nd June 1915 records he is wounded and prisoner of war at Zonnebeck, Ypres sector, the War Office Casualty List No 5765 dated 7th January 1919 reports he is a released prisoner of war arrived in England. 

George volunteered to serve with the 46th Battalion Royal Fusiliers in Russia and was awarded the Military Medal London Gazette 3rd January 1920 page 162 “For bravery in the Field with the British Forces in North Russia”.                                                

The 45th and 46th Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers were part of the North Russia Relief Force, which landed in early 1919 to support the withdrawal of international forces assisting “White” (anti-Bolshevik) Russian forces during the Russian Civil War. The understrength 45th Battalion was composed mainly of former members of the Australian Imperial Force and others – many of them veterans of the Western Front – who had volunteered for service in Russia.

Discharged on return from North Russia, George attested for the Welch Regiment 10th December 1919 and posted to the 2nd Battalion and served in India. Discharged 24th February 1928, rank Private and Conduct assessed as “Good”. Not finished with Army life he attested for the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) 30th December 1929, home address recorded as 2 St John’s Road, Ipswich Road, Colchester, Essex. Discharged from the RASC (date unknown), George re-enlisted for the 7th (Home Defence) Battalion Essex Regiment 30th August 1939 (No D/15533). 

George died in Colchester in 1953.