MILITARY MEDAL AWARDED BEFORE DEATH.

This week we have the very pleasant duty of recording the first military distinction of recording the first military distinction gained by a Gwaun-cae-gurwen man, namely, Mr. Evan James, son of Mr. Thomas James, Star Terrance, Cwmgorse, who was recommended for the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery against great odds.

The usual rejoicings have been considerably marred by the fact that our hero succumbed to his wounds a few days ago. The courage and determination of Mr. Evan James can best be shewn by quoting the letter which his father received from his officer a few days ago: —

“I want to tell you,” he writes, “how sorry I am to hear of the death of your gallant son, E. James. We only heard two days ago, just before the announcement that he had been awarded the Military Medal.

As his Company Commander I knew your son well. I remember speaking to him two or three days before the battle, when he laughingly told me he would not like to Miss the battle on any account.

Such was the spirit of our men. He was one whom we all liked and trusted. As a Lewis gunner he had to perform most valuable duties, and the Lewis gun office always spoke most highly of him. I was not surprised when we all agreed that he should be one of the first recommended for honour.

He did splendidly. At a critical stage of the fight he worked his gun and brought up ammunition for it with complete coolness and utter disregard of danger. It may be some consolation to you to know that the operations in which your son fought were completely successful.

This was no muddle, and your brave son’s life was not thrown away. The credit belongs to such men as your son, and I am proud to have had the honour of leading them. We knew, of course, that your son was badly wounded, but yet his death came as a great shock to us. He is a man almost impossible to replace. There remains for you that mixture of pride and sorrow, which is the lot of so many in these days. You have every right to be proud of your son.”

Such are the contents of the letter which was received by the sorrowful family. The letter needs no comment, and as it has been written by one on the scene of the event, our readers can glean form its perusal of the part played by the gallant Evan James.
It may also be stated that Evan enlisted almost at the commencement of the war, and he went through the Gallipoli campaign from the beginning to end. Then when the troops were withdrawn from the death-trap, he was transferred to France.