Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Private F. G. Prior, Shropshire Light Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (17470 Pte., 5/Shrops. L.I.) slight contact marks, very fine £700-900

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 March 1916. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and determination. When their Non-Commissioned Officer had been taken away wounded and their gun twice buried, Privates Allsopp, Niccolls and Prior stuck to their post. Next day, when the enemy attacked, they repulsed the attacks with a fresh gun. Later this gun was also buried, and they then held 100 yards of trench with their rifles, driving back two parties of enemy bombers. Finally, when ordered, they retired, bringing their damaged gun and its spare parts’.

Private Frederick G. Prior, 5th Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 30 November 1915. He was awarded the D.C.M. for his distinguished services near Poperinghe on 11/14 February 1916. During November 1915-February 1916 the 5th Battalion K.S.L.I. occupied a quiet position on the northern sector of the Ypres Salient. On 11 February the battalion was relieved by the 6th Battalion K.S.L.I. The regimental history records, ‘During this relief the enemy attacked one of the trenches with bombs, but was driven away by our bombers and machine-gunners. Casualties in the relief amounted to 10 other ranks killed and 17 other ranks wounded. Three machine-gunners were reported missing and believed killed, but they returned to the battalion on the 14th with their machine-gun.’ Private Prior was later discharged and awarded the Silver War Badge. Sold with copied m.i.c., war diary extracts, regimental history extracts and other research.