On This Day, 4 January 1918

Birmingham Daily Post

Friday 4 January 1918 

HONOURS FOR MIDLAND SOLDIERS

BIRMINGHAM OFFICER’S DOUBLE DECORATION

Second Lieutenant f. Leonard Houghton, Royal Warwickshire Regiment who, as announced in Wednesday’s “Daily Post,” has been awarded the Albert Medal in gold for seizing a bomb which had fallen into a trench and throwing it out before it could explode, is also included in the New Year’s list of military honours for the award of the Military Cross. He is the son of Mr. F. T. S. Houghton, of Hagley Road, Edgbaston, and was educated at Edgbaston Preparatory School and Malvern College. At the outbreak of war, a chartered accountant with Messrs. Chariton and Long, Birmingham, he enlisted in the Public Schools Battalion the Royal Fusiliers in November, 1914. A year later be received his commission in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and after acting as battalion bombing officer he became brigade bombing officer. He is now on the headquarters staff his brigade.

Captain (Acting Major) Donald Gordon Barnsley, Gloucester Regiment, who has received the Military Cross, is the eldest son of Brigadier-General Sir John Barnsley, of Earlsfield, Westfield Road, Edgbaston. He has seen much active service since the early days of the war, has been adjutant of his battalion, and has recently been appointed lieutenant-colonel.

Lieutenant (Acting Captain) D. W. Bell, Worcestershire Regiment, attached Machine Gun Corps, who has been awarded the Military Cross, enlisted the 2nd Birmingham City Battalion on its formation. He received his in 1915, and went to the front towards the close of the same year. His captaincy has recently been gazetted. Captain Bell was educated Bedford School, and before joining the army was member the staff of Messrs. Bellise and Morcom.