A highly emotive Great War 1916 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant S. W. Rushforth, 1st/8th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), who died of wounds on the Western Front, 9 May 1918, as a result of saving his wounded brother’s life. Both brothers served together from March 1915, and both were awarded the D.C.M.

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1699 A. Cpl. S. W. Rushforth. 8/Lond: Regt - T.F.); 1914-15 Star (1699. Pte. S. W. Rushforth, 8-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1699 Sjt. S. W. Rushworth. 8-Lond. R.) minor edge nicks, generally good very fine (4) £1,200-£1,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kenneth Petrie Collection.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry when he carried a wounded man across the open under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire.’

Stanley William Rushforth was the son of Mr and Mrs C. H. Rushforth of 9 Mulkem Road, Upper Holloway, London. He was also the brother of Charles H. Rushforth, both of whom served during the Great War with the 1/8th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles).

Both brothers served during the Great War together with the 1/8th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) in the French theatre of war from 18 March 1915. Both were awarded the D.C.M. for their gallantry, with Stanley being awarded his first.

Stanley Rushforth died of wounds whilst serving on the Western Front, 9 May 1918. A typed note of details given by Mr G. F. Rushforth (included with lot) gives the following:
‘Sergeant Rushforth 8th London Regiment was serving with his brother in 1918, when the enemy made an attack and followed with a gas attack. Sergeant Rushforth’s brother was wounded and had lost his gas mask, Sergeant Rushforth removed his own gas mask and gave it to the wounded man. As a result he lost his life.’

Sergeant S. W. Rushforth is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

Sold with photographic images of the brothers, and typed note by relative.