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| Medals of WWI soldier William Peniston set for auction | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The medals of a WWI soldier who was decorated for gallantry three times in three weeks - probably without firing a shot - are set to be auctioned. | The medals of a WWI soldier who was decorated for gallantry three times in three weeks - probably without firing a shot - are set to be auctioned. |
| Nottinghamshire miner William Peniston joined the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and became a stretcher bearer. | Nottinghamshire miner William Peniston joined the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and became a stretcher bearer. |
| During the slaughter of the Somme he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal and a Bar. | During the slaughter of the Somme he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal and a Bar. |
| The "remarkable" collection is set to go under the hammer in London with a guide price of £8,000-£10,000. | The "remarkable" collection is set to go under the hammer in London with a guide price of £8,000-£10,000. |
| The collection of medals also includes three campaign medals and a WWII era St John Ambulance Service award. | The collection of medals also includes three campaign medals and a WWII era St John Ambulance Service award. |
| William Peniston's medals | William Peniston's medals |
| William was born in Sheffield in 1889 but was a miner at Thoresby colliery when war broke out. | William was born in Sheffield in 1889 but was a miner at Thoresby colliery when war broke out. |
| In 1916 his unit was thrown into the Battle of the Somme. | In 1916 his unit was thrown into the Battle of the Somme. |
| Fragmentary records indicate Lance-Corporal Peniston won his first Military Medal on 26 August 1916. | Fragmentary records indicate Lance-Corporal Peniston won his first Military Medal on 26 August 1916. |
| He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 11 September and the Military Medal again (referred to as a 'Bar') on 15 September. | He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 11 September and the Military Medal again (referred to as a 'Bar') on 15 September. |
| The second Military Medal Bar, making a total of four awards for gallantry, was also won at the Somme but the date is unclear. | The second Military Medal Bar, making a total of four awards for gallantry, was also won at the Somme but the date is unclear. |
| Prisoner of War | Prisoner of War |
| Vere Hayes, chairman of trustees at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, said: "This is a remarkable collection. | Vere Hayes, chairman of trustees at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, said: "This is a remarkable collection. |
| "To win any one of these awards would mark a man as very brave, but to have four, especially in such a short space of time, shows him to be of particular valour. | "To win any one of these awards would mark a man as very brave, but to have four, especially in such a short space of time, shows him to be of particular valour. |
| "It is perhaps all the more remarkable as, being a stretcher bearer, he would not have carried a rifle to fire back." | "It is perhaps all the more remarkable as, being a stretcher bearer, he would not have carried a rifle to fire back." |
| William's citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal - second only to the Victoria Cross - reads: "His company came under enemy barrage fire which caused considerable casualties, and he remained behind under heavy shelling, attending to the wounded, and helped to carry them to the aid post". | William's citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal - second only to the Victoria Cross - reads: "His company came under enemy barrage fire which caused considerable casualties, and he remained behind under heavy shelling, attending to the wounded, and helped to carry them to the aid post". |
| Also in the auction is a personal letter showing he ended the war as a prisoner of the Germans. | Also in the auction is a personal letter showing he ended the war as a prisoner of the Germans. |
| He returned to Thoresby Colliery until his retirement and died in neighbouring Edwinstowe on 10 October 1974, aged 85. | He returned to Thoresby Colliery until his retirement and died in neighbouring Edwinstowe on 10 October 1974, aged 85. |