A Great War ‘Somme 1916’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private H. W. Cunningham, 6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, who, when his Company Commander was wounded and despite being himself wounded in three places, insisted on dressing his wounds under fire and brought him back having spent three perilous hours in No Man’s Land

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (11264 Pte. H. W. Cunningham. 6/Dorset: R.); 1914-15 Star (11264 Pte. H. W. Cunningham. Dorset: R); British War and Victory Medals (11264 Pte. H. W. Cunningham. Dorset R.) court mounted, some pitting from star, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917; citation published 12 February 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although wounded three times he continued to carry on his work as runner. Later, he carried his Company Commander, who was wounded, over a distance of 400 yards under heavy fire.’

The Regimental History records: ‘Major T. H. F. Johnson was hit; but Pte. Cunningham, his servant, himself wounded in three places, insisted on dressing his wounds under fire, and brought him back after over three hours’ perilous loyalty.’ Major Johnson was awarded the D.S.O.

Henry W. Cunningham proceeded to France with the 6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, on 13 July 1915. He was transferred to Class Z Reserve on 24 February 1919.

Sold with copied gazette notices, extracts from the Regimental History and Medal Index Card.