Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Squadron Sergeant-Major F. W. Peacock, Northumberland Hussars

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (H270016 S.S. Mjr., 1/1 North’d. Hrs.) good very fine, rare £1000-1200

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of “B” Squadron dismounted Hotchkiss gun teams. Although their flanks were turned, he fought these guns with splendid courage and coolness, doing great execution until they were all knocked out. He then kept the teams firing with their rifles until the last possible moment’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 May 1917.

Private F. W. Peacock, Northumberland Hussars, came from Sunderland, and entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 5 October 1914. Later promoted to Squadron Sergeant-Major, by the end of the war he was the senior Warrant Officer of the regiment. The regimental history ‘adds flesh’ to his D.C.M. winning action, recording, ‘S.S.M. Peacock was in charge of ‘B’ Squadron, dismounted Hotchkiss gun-teams from March 21 (1918) onwards, on the Croizat Canal, between Jussy and Liez. These guns did great execution on the 22nd, and fought, though their flanks were turned, until the guns were knocked out. The men were kept in hand by this Warrant Officer, and then fought with rifles, with the nearest unit, until they came into Noyon on the 24th. S.S.M. Peacock himself, by personally keeping in touch with the teams, all the time showed remarkable coolness and bravery, having to be continually moving through severe enemy fire of all sorts’. Squadron Sergeant-Major Peacock was presented with the D.C.M. ribbon on 4 May 1918 at Cocquerel.

One of only 12 Great War D.C.M’s. to the regiment.

Sold with Northumberland Hussars cap badge and copied research.