A Millom man who had emigrated to New Zealand before returning to fight in the First World War was awarded a Military Medal for his part in laying explosive charges and taking part in a bayonet charge a century ago.

News of the gallantry award to Private George C. Brockbank was carried in the Barrow News of Saturday, October 6 in 1917.

His wife lived at 3 Lapstone Road, Millom and his parents once lived in Greenodd.

He had moved to New Zealand around 1914.

The article noted: "He was in the 7th Dragoon Guards and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery and determination in attempting to lay a Bangalore torpedo in an enemy raid on Square Copse on the night of 4th-5th July and subsequently in a bayonet charge against the enemy.

"The commanding officer has sent a telegram offering 'hearty congratulations on the well-earned reward'."

His brave actions to help halt the attack with an explosive charge in long sections of tubing was at a place called Maissemy, which is 5km to the north-west of St Quentin and 2km from Vermand.

Those who did not survive this bitter struggle were buried at Vadencourt British Cemetery at Maissemy. There is also a German cemetery.

A Barrow soldier hurled grenades to hold off a German night attack and was also rewarded with a Military Medal.

The gallantry medal award was announced in the Barrow News of Saturday, September 1 in 1917.

Corporal Jackson Tyson had successfully held his bombing post against a German counter-attack on the night of June 17th and 18th.

He was the son of Mr W. H. Tyson, of 99 Holker Street, Barrow who had been born at Askam in 1896 and had been a former pupil at the Victoria Council Schools.

He worked for the Barrow-based Furness Railway and his employers initially refused him permission to join the Army.

He finally got his way in March 1916 and joined the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

Haverigg soldier Corporal W. Bickerstaff won his Military Medal for being the first to spot a German attack and open fire on the enemy with a machine gun.

News of his award was carried in the Barrow News on Saturday, September 29 in 1917.

His wife lived at Moor Moss, Haverigg and his late parents were at Caton Sreet in the village, near Millom.

Cpl Bickerstaff served with the Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment.

The article noted: "During an attempted enemy raid he was the first to observe the raiders and broke them up with fire from his Lewis gun, although himself subjected to a heavy hostile barrage.

"He was the first also to go out after the raid had been repelled and brought in a wounded prisoner.

"He acted throughout with initiative and complete disregard of fear."

Word of a Military Medal to a Bouth soldier was reported in the Barrow News on Saturday, October13 in 1917.

It went to Gunner Arthur Harrison, of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

He had been working close to the front lines with a trench mortar battery.

He was the eldest son of Ben Harrison, of Bark House, Bouth.

His gallantry medal was won for rescuing a wounded comrade under heavy fire.

He had been serving in France for a year and nine months and had just got home on his first period of leave.

The article noted: "He went all through the Somme Campaign and other engagements and has so far been fortunate in not receiving a scratch.

"Prior to the war he was employed as a blacksmith at Yealand Conyers, where a host of frieds were glad to see him and give him the welcome he deserved."

The Barrow News of Saturday, October 6, in 1917 had news of a Military Cross for Barrow soldier Henry Norman King.

The 22-year-old second lieutenant served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

The officer's parents lived at 44 Marsh Street, Barrow and his father was a foreman for the Barrow-based Furness Railway Company.

Before the war he had worked at Vickers in Barrow and joined the Royal Engineers as a mechanical draughtsman and obtained his commission as an officer in April 1917.

His parents received word that he had been severely wounded in the thigh.