Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boer War ‘Attack on Helvetia’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private M. Carney, Liverpool Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (5025 Pte. M. Carney. Liverpool Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (5025 Pte. M. Carney. Liverpool Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (5025 Pte. M. Carney. Liverpool Regt.) generally very fine (3) £1400-1800

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

Michael Carney was born in Salford, Lancashire, and attested for the Liverpool Regiment at Bury, 10 October 1895. He served with 1st Battalion in South Africa from 25 November 1897 until 10 January 1903. Carney served with particular distinction during the Boer attack on Helvetia, when ‘early on the morning of 29th December 1900, the garrison at Helvetia, consisting of B, F, and H Companies [Liverpool Regiment], with about 20 troopers 19th Hussars, and a gun detachment with a 4.7 gun, was attacked by the Boers. The principal defences were on four kopjes about 600 yards apart, and formed a rough circle. Simultaneous attacks were made on all points. Under cover of the dark and a thick fog the Boers succeeded in surprising the eastern kopje, on which the gun was, and took the garrison prisoners. This part was the key of the position and commanded the main camp situated by the central kopjes, which at once came under a very heavy fire. The losses soon became serious, and ammunition was becoming exhausted. The western kopje was held by a portion of B Company under Lieutenant Wilkinson, who, though heavily engaged and called upon to surrender, refused to do so, and succeeded in keeping the enemy at bay until relieved.’

Colour Sergeant W. Johnson and Private Michael Carney were heavily involved in the action above, with both being awarded the D.C.M. by working in tandem whilst under fire, Johnson ‘for coolness and gallantry in moving out of a sangar during the attack on Helvetia, 29th December 1900, to locate the Boers who were then at close range, and for the able handling of his men’ and Carney ‘during the attack on Helvetia, 29th December 1900, covered by his fire Colour Sergeant Johnson while the latter was rebuilding a partially demolished sangar, and otherwise displaying great coolness and gallantry.’ (Rudolph refers). Lieutenant Wilkinson was, on completing six years’ service, gazetted Brevet Major. The casualties were 9 killed, 28 wounded, 1 missing, and 130 taken prisoner. Carney transferred to the Army Reserve, but died shortly after of Paraplegia, 10 September 1909.