A fine and interesting Great War D.C.M., M.M. pair awarded to Sergeant J. Curran, 19th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, who after a distinguished wartime career, deserted and was convicted by the civil authorities of aggravated assault and house breaking, these crimes resulting in a period of imprisonment and the forfeiture of his Great War campaign medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (38544 Sjt., M.M., 19/Manch. R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (38544 L. Cpl., 19/Manch. R.) several heavy edge bruises, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £1200-1500

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 October 1918 (awarded for an action on 8 May 1918). ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He went forward with two men and surprised and captured an enemy post of one officer and six men in broad daylight. Later, he assumed command of his platoon, and under a very heavy barrage held an isolated position until relieved. His conduct throughout was splendid, and inspired his men.’

M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917.

Fortunately Sergeant Curran’s correspondence file survives at the National Archives, from which the following information is sourced:

24 June 1920: Awarded 14 days detention for absence from 22:00, 12 June 1920 to 00:50, 13 June 1920, resisting an escort, and stating a falsehood to his G.O.

7 July 1920: Declared a deserter by Court of Inquiry held at Kinnel Park.

4 August 1920: Arrested by G.P. at Manchester and rejoined at Kinnel Park on 5 August 1920.

7 August 1920: The military authorities now discover that Curran had been awarded three months hard labour on 19 June 1920 at Chester Castle Sessions for aggravated assault on a female. He is arrested at Kinnel Park and committed to Liverpool Prison to serve sentence.

4 October 1920: Discharged from the Army having been convicted by a Civil Power, his character at the time being given as ‘bad’.

A statement made by Curran in relation to his health states: ‘I am always coughing and spitting phlegm and short of breath. I consider this is the result of hardships in the trenches and being gassed on several dates, 31 July 1916 at Ypres, 1 May 1918 at Ypres, and 15 May 1918 at Ypres.

25 May 1927: John Curran (a.k.a. John Ryan) held at Albany Police Station awaiting trial. The following letter to the O.C., 17th Manchester Regiment from a Police Sergeant sheds some light on this: ‘I beg to report that the above named ex-soldier, John Ryan [name at top of sheet given as John Curran] is awaiting sentence at County of London Sessions commencing 14 June 1927 on a charge of house-breaking. When arrested on 2 May 1927, prisoner refused to give any particulars of himself. He now states that he served in the 17th Manchesters under Colonel MacDonald from 5 March 1916 till the end of the war when he was discharged as a Sergeant. He also states that he was awarded the D.C.M. and M.M., and that his Army character was very good...’

A letter written by Curran from Brixton Prison two weeks later requesting details of his service states: Dear Sir, I am in some trouble and should thank you ever so mutch (sic) if you can kindly let me have the deeds that I got my D.C.M. and M.M. for.’

In relation to the forfeiture of his medals it is clear that he was originally destined to lose his gallantry awards as well as his campaign medals. However, on 22 April 1922 a letter from the War Office cleared the whole issue up: ‘I am commanded to inform you that the Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to No. 90232, Private J. Curran, Manchester Regiment, for service as No. 38544 Sergeant J. Curran, M.M., 19th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, vide the London Gazette dated 3 October 1918, and forfeited by him in consequence of his discharge on the 4th October 1920 (on conviction by the Civil Power) under Article 1236 of the Royal Warrant for pay, etc., of the Army which was in force on that date has been restored by the Army Council under Article 1240 of the above mentioned Royal Warrant.

The Army Council have also decided under the power delegated to them by the terms of the 9th Ordinance of the Royal Warrant dated 24 March 1919, governing the award of the Military Medal, that this decoration awarded to the above named man for service as No. 38544 Private, Manchester Regiment, vide the London Gazette dated the 28th September 1917, shall not be forfeited...

I am further to state that as the above mentioned decorations have not been returned to this Department it is presumed that they have been previously issued to Private Curran and are now in his posession.

I am to add however that the commemorative war medals earned by this man are forfeited under Article 1236(b) of the Royal Warrant.’

World War I medal roll confirms ‘B.W.M. and V.M. returned, forfeited, 4.10.20.’ Sold with copies of his National Archives correspondence file, London Gazette entries, m.i.c, etc.