Spr Hunt is mentioned several times in his units War Diary, but not with reference to medals, so the actions described might fit the timescale of his awards.

From the War Diary it seems logical that his medals were awarded for actions at the battle of Vimy Ridge occurred in April 1917 and the battle of Cambrai occurred in November 1917.

On April 9th the unit was at Beugin on 4 hours notice to move forward. They moved up over the next few days and established an HQ at Roclincourt whilst they made sure the signal network was working properly. On April 23rd the diary records "Heavy German barrage caused great trouble in lines in forward area. Linemen out on all lines in vicinity of Bailleul". On the 25th Spr Longridge was killed and "Spr Stone wounded by shellfire. On the 28th an attack was mounted on the German lines at Oppy and heavy artillery fire again played havoc with the lines. The battle swayed back and forward around Oppy until the 3 rd May when the place was captured. The 2nd Division Signal Company was withdrawn on the 5th May. Although there is no mention of Cpl Hunt. It is likely that he was awarded the MM for maintaining communications during this period.

On 25th May the unit took over a sector of the Cambrai battle at Bertincourt and worked on keeping the signal network running. On the 30th a German attack and heavy shelling caused damage to all the lines and many had to be diverted through Brigade HQ. Eventually the only means of communication possible were wireless and pigeon. The attack was eventually beaten off and the diary records that "the linemen restored lines quickly directly the shelling died down a little but work was absolutely impossible during the attack." Again, although Cpl Hunt is not mentioned, it is an educated guess that this action was why he was awarded the DCM.

Spr Hunt is mentioned in the war diary on 22.4.1916 when he was appointed "unpaid Lance Corporal" and on 1.10. 1916 when he was "raised to skilled rate of pay and re mustered as a telegraphic signaller lineman in Number 3 section". This higher rate of pay was 1/8, the lower rate being 1/4.


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To Second Lieutenant Sydney Elphick Sanders.