Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Lance-Serjeant H. Conroy, 1/6th Battalion West Riding Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (24872 Cpl-L. Sjt., 1/6 W. Rid. R.) mounted court style for display, edge bruise and minor contact marks, very fine £700-800

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1919.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When one of the officers of his company was reported to be missing, he immediately went out with a small patrol to search for him, penetrating through the enemy’s positions and searching the ground in the rear of them. The next morning he followed up the attack of another battalion, and continued his search beyond the positions taken up by the attacking battalion, going close up to the enemy’s line in daylight. On a subsequent occasion when his company were subjected to a bombardment of unusual intensity, he took command of his platoon when all the other N.C.O.’s had become casualties. He rescued three men who had been buried by a shell explosion, and he set a very fine example of courage and energy, going about regardless of danger, organising and encouraging the men.’

The 1/6th Battalion West Riding Regiment (T.F.) was formed in Skipton in Craven in August 1914 and entered the France/Flanders theatre of war in the Spring of 1915. Herbert Conroy, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, joined the battalion in France some time after this, being entitled to the British War and Victory Medal pair. Serving with “D” Company, Corporal-Lance-Serjeant Conroy earned the D.C.M. for his gallantry and dedication in action near Kemmel during the Spring of 1918.

With copied gazette and war diary extracts, m.i.c. and other research.