A rare ‘Easter Rebellion 1916’ D.C.M. awarded to Company Serjeant-Major W. H. King, 2/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2505 C.S. Mjr. W. H. King, 2/8 N. & D.R.-T.F.) good very fine £2000-2500

D.C.M. London Gazette 24 January 1917; citation: 3 March 1917. ‘Decorations awarded for the Irish Rebellion 1916’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He greatly assisted his Company Commander during the storming of various buildings. He set a splendid example throughout.’

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

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The 2/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment was raised in Newark on 5 September 1914. Between that date and April 1916 they had been in various locations around the country, on training, as well as supplying replacements to the 1/8th Battalion. In the early morning of Easter Monday, 24 April 1916 they received orders to move at once to an ‘unknown’ destination. They left in two trains bound for Liverpool and it required little acumen to guess that their destination was to be Ireland where an armed rising in Dublin had begun. Arriving at Liverpool at 8.00pm., orders were received to embark three companies at once on the S.S. Patriotic - ‘D’ Company and fatefully, the Lewis guns, were left behind. They arrived at Kingston harbour at 5.30am on Wednesday 26 April 1916. Having landed at 7.00am., orders were issued at 8.30am for the 2/7th supported by the 2/8th to proceed into Dublin along the seaside route via Balls Bridge. Little opposition was expected south of Balls Bridge. At 12 noon they came under fire from rebels and progress slowed as house to house searches became necessary. At 5.50pm the O.C. 2/8th gave orders to take the school and several houses being strongly held by the rebels - ‘B’ Company to lead, supported by ‘A’ Company. Captain Quibell, C.O. ‘A’ Company and C.S.M. King led the attack on the right hand side of Northumberland Road. Captain Quibell and C.S.M. King climbed the railings in front of the school and with their men following, speedily ousted the enemy from the buildings. For this action Captain Quibell was awarded the D.S.O. and C.S.M. King was awarded the D.C.M. The 2/8th Battalion finally left Ireland on 12 January 1917.

In January 1917 the honours and awards to the 2/8th Battalion were announced - 1 D.S.O. (to Captain Quibell); 2 M.C’s.; and four D.C.M’s. (including that to C.S.M. King). These honours were personally presented by King George V whilst on his visit to Salisbury Plain.

With copied research.