A Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal J. H. Manchester, 1/5th Lincolnshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (240698 Cpl., 1/5 Linc. R.); 1914-15 Star (3054 Pte., Linc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3054 Cpl., Linc. R.) good very fine and better (4) £1000-1200

D.C.M. London Gazette 20 September 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and resource in an attack, he led a charge against a strong point which was holding up the advance, put several of the enemy out of action and captured the position and a machine gun. He then followed up the retreating enemy with a few men and took four prisoners. Throughout the operation he showed splendid courage and initiative under heavy fire.’

In the regimental history it is recorded: ‘Corporal J. Manchester in command of the Lewis gun team, ordered two men to cover him with its fire, while he and the remainder of the team rushed the post with the bayonet; four of the enemy were bayoneted, Corporal Manchester himself killing the officer in charge, and the remainder of the enemy garrison between 20 and 30 fled, leaving the machine gun in our hands. The platoon then pushed forward, capturing four prisoners and clearing snipers out of the houses in Rue du Bois. The capture of this strong point enabled the whole line to advance ....’

John Henry Manchester was born in 1893. He enlisted into the Lincolnshire Regiment on 5 October 1914 and entered France on 1 March 1915. Disembodied 7 April 1919. With copied research and copied photographs of the recipient in uniform.