A Great War ‘Givenchy April 1918’ D.C.M. awarded to Gunner T. Kirby, Royal Field Artillery

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (697047 Gnr., R.F.A.) good fine £500-550

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1919. ‘697047 Gnr. T. Kirby, C/276th (W. Lanc.) Bde. R.F.A., T.F. (Lancaster)’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was one of the detachment of the forward section of the battery near Givenchy on 9th April 1918. Under very heavy shell and rifle fire he did excellent work in carrying wounded men from the battery position to the dressing station a quarter of a mile distant. Later in the day he carried an important message back to brigade headquarters near Le Preol, and then returned at once to his section through very heavy shell fire. By his pluck and determination orders of vital importance to our successful defeat of the enemy were conveyed to the guns.’

The unit formed part of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The 55th Division’s stand at Givenchy in April 1918 was described by the official Australian war historian, Dr. C. E. W. Bean, as ‘one of the finest defences made by British troops in the war’ and even drew praise from the German commander, Crown Prince Rupprecht. With copied research.