An early Great War ‘Battle of Armentières’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Acting Sergeant H. Graham, Royal Field Artillery, who had previously served on both the North West Frontier of India in 1908, and then with the Abor Expedition on the North East Frontier in 1911-12 attached to the Indian Telegraph Department, receiving a unique two-clasp award

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (35709 Cpl. H. Graham. 36/Bty: R.F.A.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1908, Abor 1911-12 (35709 Gunr. H. Graham. R.F.A.); 1914 Star, with clasp (35709 Bmbr: H. Graham. R.F.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (35709 A-Sjy. [sic] H. Graham. R.A.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (35709 A-Sjt. H. Graham. R.A.) mounted court-style, lacquered, about extremely fine and a unique combination (5) £1,800-£2,200

Charles Lusted, 1984.

Only three Abor 1911-12 clasps awarded to the Royal Field Artillery, to Lieutenant J. H. Knight, attached 31 Signal Company; 35079 Gunner H. Graham, and 22423 Gunner J. Sidlow, Royal Field Artillery; of these three, only Graham had previously received the North West Frontier 1908 clasp. Unusually, no Battery number is given on Graham’s India General Service Medal.

D.C.M. London Gazette 5 August 1915:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and valuable service during the last six months, and particularly during the operations on the 9th/10th May 1915, near Rouge Bancs, when his coolness and courage enabled communications to be kept open.
On the 9th May 1915, he went out under heavy fire to mend a telegraph wire, and later acted as guide to two stretcher bearers, who brought in an Officer who had been killed.’

Hugh Graham attested for the Royal Field Artillery and served with the 18th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, attached to the Indian Telegraph Departmen on the North West Frontier in 1908. He subsequently served with the Indian Telegraph Department during the Abor Expedition 1911-12, one of the handful of British other ranks to have qualified for this clasp.

Returning to the U.K., Graham served with 33rd Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 November 1914, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during the Battle of Armentières, and specifically for his gallantry near Rouge Bancs on the night of 9-10 May 1915, before being advanced Acting Sergeant.

Sold with copied medal roll extracts and other research, which confirms both IGS clasps; and a copy of The Story of the India General Service Medal 1908-1935 by Richard Stiles.