Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War 1918 ‘French theatre’ D.C.M., M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant L. A. Berg, 1st Otago Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, for gallantry at Rossignol Wood in July 1918, and during the attack on the Masnières Line in October 1918, he was also twice wounded in action in 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1-457 S. Sjt L. A. Berg. M.M. 1/Otaco [sic] R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (1-457 Cpl. L. A. Berg. 1/Otago R.); 1914-15 Star (1/457 S. Sjt. L. A. Berg. N.Z.E.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1/457 S/Sjt. L. A. Berg. N.Z.E.F.) mounted for display, good very fine (5) £2400-2800

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919 (citation appearing in London Gazette 11 March 1920):

‘On 8th October 1918, during the attack on the Masnières line, when he had charge of a platoon. Though early wounded, he continued to lead his men on. When his company was held up by heavy machine-gun fire he, by a daring reconnaissance, located the machine gun nest, and the enemy guns were silenced.’

M.M. London Gazette 13 November 1918, the original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 25th July 1918, in the Rossignol Wood Sector, North of Hebuterme, when the enemy counter-attacked our newly won position, Corporal Berg displayed the utmost coolness and decision during the heavy preliminary bombardment. Under accurate and heavy shell fire he kept a careful look out at a point where the enemy could bomb our trench under cover of a sap, and on the enemy moving forward to the attack, Corporal Berg handled his section with great coolness and skill; finally, although under machine gun fire, leading his section over the parapet across the open ground to meet the advancing enemy and pushing the latter back into our own S.O.S. barrage which had come down.’

Leonard Andrews Berg was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in December 1884. He attested in the 1st Battalion, Otago Regiment, in August 1914, and served with the Samoan Expeditionary Force. Berg returned to New Zealand in April 1915, before serving with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 1917. As well as being awarded two gallantry decorations, Berg was twice wounded in action - 18 June 1917 and 8 October 1918.

Berg returned to New Zealand 23 July 1919, and was discharged 20 August 1919. He died in Lower Hutt, in June 1965.

1 of 7 Great War D.C.M.s awarded to the Otago Regiment.

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