A Great War ‘Egypt’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private W. Hitchcock, Queen’s Own Dorset Yeomanry and Machine Gun Corps Cavalry, who was killed in action in Egypt on 21 November 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (96187 Pte. W. Hitchcock. M.G.C.); 1914-15 Star (1445 Pte. W. Hitchcock, Dorset. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (1445 Pte. W. Hitchcock. Dorset Yeo.) mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 28 March 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When all the other members of his machine-gun team had become casualties, during an action, he assisted his officer to get the gun into action, showing great determination and resource.’

William Hitchcock was born at Wellington, Somerset, and attested for the Queen’s Own Dorset Yeomanry at Sherborne, Dorset. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War in the Balkan theatre of War from 30 October 1915, before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps Cavalry, and saw further service with them as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was killed in action in Egypt on 21 November 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial.