Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Staff Sergeant Major, later Second Lieutenant, E. M. Vickery, Divisional Signals Company, New Zealand Engineers and Royal Engineers, an Imperial Officer who had previously distinguished himself during service in Gallipoli, when he was twice recommended for a decoration. He was wounded in action 7 October 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4-490 C. S. Mjr: E. M. Vickery D.S. Coy. N.Z.E.) initials and surname renamed; 1914-15 Star (4/490 2/Lt. E. M. Vickery. N.Z.E.F.) number double-struck in places; British War and Victory Medals (4/490 2/Lt. E. M. Vickery. N.Z.E.F.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (2306094 Sjt. E. M. Vickery. R. C. Of Sig.) first four awards mounted for display, generally good very fine (5) £800-1000

D.C.M. London Gazette 13 February 1917 (in which he is erroneously listed as ‘Vicery’, possibly explaining the naming of the D.C.M.:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has on several occasions repaired wires under heavy fire.’

The original recommendation states:

‘Locality, Fricourt to Fleurs. Consistent and excellent work from the formation of the company to the present. His zeal and character combined with his all-round attainments make him the most capable Sgt-Major I have known, and I have no hesitation in saying that the present efficiency of the company is largely due to him. With few opportunities he has always been anxious to get to the front and notably twice, in Gallipoli during the August advance and on 13th September last, when owing to being short-handed I instructed him to lay a line with a party of drivers, he did very good work under fire and in difficult circumstances. He has been recommended twice previously without result. The second time was from Fricourt to Bazentin-le-Grand before the advances from High Wood when the whole area was under shellfire.’

Recommendation (unsuccessful) for the Medaille Militaire:

‘Vickery, Ernest. Gallipoli Peninsula, 25th April - 18th September. For continuous good service in the field and for his ability, resourcefulness and coolness under many trying conditions and especially during the advances made in August last.’

Ernest Marr Vickery was born in Ayton, Scotland, in March 1887. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers, at London, in September 1902, and embarked for New Zealand where he was attested as an Imperial Officer in August 1914. He served with the New Zealand Engineers in Gallipoli, and was twice recommended for a decoration, including the Medaille Militaire. After contracting Enteritis, he was posted back to England for recuperation.

Vickery rejoined his unit in France, 14 July 1916, and was promoted Staff Sergeant Major for ‘good service in the field.’ He was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry in operations between Fricourt and Fleurs on the Somme in September 1916. By Wires to Victory - The Work of the New Zealand Divisional Signal Company in the 1914-1918 War, gives the following:

‘Recently I heard how C.S.M. Vickery won his D.C.M. He took a cable wagon close up to the firing line in front of Delville Wood during September 1916. It was quite a good performance, as no cable wagon had done such a thing before, but in 1918 it was done dozens of times in the big advance. Vickery’s drivers Vic Clay, Charlie Ellis and Nelson Clay.’

Vickery was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, June 1918, and was wounded in action, 7 October 1918. He returned to the British Army in July 1919, and was discharged 15 November 1920. He re-engaged for service during the Second War with the Pioneer Corps in 1940, and died in England in 1972.

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