Additions will be checked before being published on the website and where possible will be forwarded to the person who submitted the original entries. Your contact details will not be forwarded, but they can send a reply via this messaging system.
please scroll down to send a message
L/Cpl. John Raymond Akerman MM.
British Army Machine Gun Corps
from:George Green, Slough
John Akerman was refused entry at Oxford & Bucks Regiment because he was too young. He went to Brecon and joined the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers at 17 years of age. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.
John was awarded the Military Medal for his actions on 20th of November 1917. The Citation reads: 'Near Marcony on 20th of November 1917 when his Company was checked by various parties of the enemy with machine guns in ammunition pits. At once and on his own initiative rushed his Lewis gun forward through heavy, heavy fire, getting around to the flank from where he brought well aimed fire on to their pits greatly assisting in the capture of them. He showed conspicuous gallantry throughout the advance.'
He was captured in February 1918 in France and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner working in the coal mines in Germany.
