2/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 14 January 1918.

The Burnley Express of 22 July 1919 reported, FOUR PADIHAM HEROES HONOURED. MEDALS PRESENTED FOR BRAVE DEEDS. As reported in our Wednesday's issue, on Monday evening, at the Grand Theatre, Padiham, during an interval in the programme of pictures, there was an interesting ceremony of presentation of military honours which have been awarded to four Padiham men as follows:- D.C.M., awarded to Corporal Swarbrick, 1/5th East Lancs., whose home is at 6, Milton Street; Military Medal and bar, French Croix de Guerre, and Divisional Honour Roses, awarded to Sergeant Roger Ireland, of the 11th East Lancs., whose home is at 19, Thompson Street; Military Medal to Acting Company Sergeant-Major Richard Law, 2/5th East Lancs., whose home is at 6, Hill Street; Military Medal to Private F. Thompson, of the Suffolk Regiment, stretcher bearer, who lives at 7, James Street. Councillor Ernest Wiggins, Chairman of the Padiham Urban District Council, presided, and Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, and Mrs T.W. Waddington, of the Padiham Women's Emergency Association, pinned the medals on the breasts of the four heroes amidst much applause. Acting Company Sergeant-Major Law won his Military Medal as follows: "During a severe action that took place on the Paschendaele Ridge in France(sic), on 9 October 1917, the whole of the officers in the company to which Sergeant Law was attached became casualties. Law forthwith took charge, and although the company had to remain in action for two days, by his skilful handling of the men he managed to bring them back to the support lines with few casualties to the men."