The exceptional Great War 1914 ‘Festubert’ D.C.M. and Russian Cross of St George group of five awarded to Sergeant Hugh Coldwell, 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers - After his death in action in 1915 his Colonel paid the following tribute “He was the bravest of the brave and knew no danger - the true type of a Ranger”

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9054 Sjt., 1/Conn. Rang.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9054 Cpl., 1/Conn. Rang.); British War and Victory Medals (9054 Cpl., Conn. Rang.) surname spelt ‘Caldwell on pair; Russian Cross of St George, 4th class, reverse officially numbered ‘127169’; together with memorial plaque (Hugh Coldwell) and a poignant letter written by the recipient to his parents in June 1915, good very fine (6) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Fine Collection of Medals to 'Old Contemptibles' formed by Major Bob Keay.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 1 April 1915 ‘For gallant conduct on 30th November 1914, near Festubert, when he led 12 men and reoccupied a trench which was being heavily assailed by the enemy’s bombs.’

Russian Cross of St George London Gazette 25 August 1915.

The following in relation to the action in which he gained the award of his D.C.M. is extracted from, The Connaught Rangers, Volume I, by Lieut. Col. H. F. N. Jourdain, CMG:

‘On 30 November 1914, early in the afternoon came news that a sudden attack was being made on a weak place in the line near Le Plantin, where the trenches held by the Poona Horse and the 7th Dragoon Guards connected. Sergeant Caldwell and twelve men of ‘D’ Company were at once sent off to assist the Poona Horse. Then, shortly after two o’clock, another message was received to the effect that the trenches of the Poona Horse had been rushed and were in possession of the Germans. Second Lieutenant Badham and twelve more men of ‘D’ Company were now sent off. Information, however, came to hand shortly afterwards that the situation had been retrieved, and at 3:40pm Second Lieutenant Badham and his party returned.

The party sent earlier, of whom Sergeant Caldwell of the Rangers was in charge, remained behind to hold the Poona Horse trench. They had done excellent work. When they first received orders to go to the aid of the Poona Horse, Sergeant Caldwell and his men were occupying a trench 250 yards away. They rushed along the trench and reoccupied the evacuated Poona Horse trench, driving back the Germans and pushing on to the sap-head. The trench was without protection, the parapet having been almost completely blown away. Sergeant Caldwell and four men, with the utmost pluck and coolness under a continuous sniping fire from the Germans near by, built up and re-vetted the parapet and then held both trench and sap-head for the rest of the day. They remained there until six in the evening when they were relieved by the return of Second Lieutenant Badham and thirty men. Sergeant Caldwell was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallant services.’

Sergeant Coldwell is again mentioned in the regimental history for distinguishing himself in the action at the Second Battle of Ypres on 26 April 1915:

‘Sergeant H. Caldwell distinguished himself during the advance by taking command of his company, on all the officers being hit, and leading boldly and with the finest determination. Caldwell had already won the D.C.M. at Neuve Chapelle and for the Second Ypres was awarded the Russian Order of St George, 4th class.’

Hugh Coldwell was born in Cavan, lived at Mountnugent, Cavan and enlisted in London. He died of wounds in France and Flanders on 18 October 1915 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

Of his death the regimental history states:

‘Sergeant Caldwell, whose fine courage and gallant leadership on many occasions, notably at Neuve Chapelle and at the Second Ypres, where he won the D.C.M. and the Russian St George Medal, was mortally wounded near Neuve Chapelle, during the Rangers’ last tour of duty in the trenches there. The top of his left shoulder was smashed, and after amputation he succumbed. “Seldom” says Father Peal, “has a soldier received more merited praise than the Colonel gave Sergeant Caldwell when announcing his death to the battalion. He was the bravest of the brave and knew no danger - the true type of a Ranger.’

The following is transcribed from the original poignant letter written by Sergeant Hugh Coldwell to his parents ‘in the field’ on 7 June 1915:

‘My dear parents, Just a few lines after a lapse of many years. I had a letter from Bernard and he told me that you were all in the best of health. The reason I did not write before now was because I did not like to let you know I was in the army. I have been fighting here in Belgium since the outbreak of war. We came from India. I was there for 7 years. I was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 30.11.14 for bravery in the field, as you can see by the attached cutting from a paper. The last big fight I was in was on 26th & 27th April and all the officers got either killed or wounded. I led my company right through the attack. I got a couple of slight wounds which were practically nothing. I have been again mentioned in despatches and recommended for the Victoria Cross and a commission. Things are very quiet here at p[resent] as the Germans had to withdraw a lot of their troops from our front to put against the Italians as the Austrians are nearly wiped out.

It is terrible what the Germans done on the poor nuns and priests. I could not explain as it would take me weeks and would horrify the world. You must excuse this scribble. I have nothing more to say at present, but will write a long letter in a few days time when I come out of the trenches for a rest. Remember me to Granny, Uncle John and Paddy, Master Gillick, Brothers and Sisters and all the neighbours in Dungannon. Your loving son, Hugh