A Great War ‘Salonika’ D.C.M. and Russian Cross of St. George group of five awarded to Corporal J. H. Heywood, 12th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, for his gallantry in tending to the wounded under very heavy fire when all other personnel at the Aid Post had been killed or wounded, and in subsequently saving the life of a man whose dug-out had been blown in

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (12-8467 Pte. J. Heywood. 12/Lanc: Fus:); 1914-15 Star (8467 Pte. J. Heywood. Lan: Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (8467 Pte. J. H. Heywood. Lan. Fus.); Russia, Empire, Cross of St. Goerge, Fourth Class, silver, officially numbered ‘127232’, all housed in a blue velvet-lined fitted leather case with a silver plaque inscribed ‘Presented to Corporal J. Heywood by his fellow workmen in recognition of honour won in the Great War, Feb 8th 1917’, good very fine and better (5) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 25 November 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended the wounded under very heavy fire throughout the day, displaying great courage and determination. Later, he dug five men out of a dug-out which had been blown in.’

Russian Cross of St. George Fourth Class London Gazette 15 February 1917.

James Henry Heywood was born in Heywood, Lancashire, in 1887, and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in September 1914. He served with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 September 1915, before proceeding later that year to Salonika. ‘In the Salonika theatre of war he fought with great distinction in numerous notable engagements on the Dorian and the Vardar fronts, being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Russian Order of St. George [sic] for conspicuous gallantry in the Field. He was invalided home in April 1918.’ (National Roll of the Great War refers).

A local Salford newspaper cutting gives further details of both awards:
‘Private James Heywood showed a conspicuous example in devotion in rendering first aid to wounded under heavy shell fire, and in carrying wounded back to the air post. He dig five men out of a dug-out which had been blown in by a shell, thereby saving the life of one of them. When all the personnel of the aid post had been killed or wounded he remained there, and continued to dress wounds for the rest of the day, though subjected to a continuous bombardment.
The Russian decoration was awarded in recognition of distinguished services during the Egyptian campaign.’

Heywood later served with the 6th Battalion back on the Western Front, and was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 26 March 1919. In civilian life he was employed as a mechanic at the British Westinghouse Works, Eccles.

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