Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War 1914 operations D.C.M. pair awarded to Sergeant F. S. Martin, East Surrey Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10499 Pte. F. S. Martin, 1-E. Surr. R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (10499 Sjt. F. S. Martin, E. Surr. R.), polished, thus generally good fine (2) £900-1100

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 June 1915:

‘For conspicuous gallantry throughout the campaign, notably near Lorgies on a day in October 1914, when, after repeated failure by other men, he got ammunition up to his machine-gun under heavy rifle and shell fire.’

Frederick S. Martin first entered the French theatre of war with the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, on 13 August 1914, and was, as cited above, decorated for his gallantry near Lourgies in October - most probably on the 21st, when the Germans mounted a strong attack. Martin later served in the Machine Gun Corps, and was issued with a duplicate 1914 Star in December 1921 and a duplicate D.C.M. in December 1929 (his MIC entry refers).