Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Corporal Daniel Friskey, 14th Hussars

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5855 L.Col. D. Friskey. 14/Hrs:); 1914-15 Star (5855, L-Cpl. D. Friskey. 14th. Hrs,); British War and Victory Medals (5855 Pte. D. Friskey. 14-Hrs.); Coronation 1953; Special Constabulary Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Sergt. Daniel Friskey); together with a gold-plate presentation Hunter pocket-watch, the inner lid inscribed ‘Presented to 5855 Lce. Corpl. Daniel J. Friskey, D.C.M. 14th (King’s) Hussars by the Town Council and Citizens of Coatbridge for Distinguished Service in the Great War’, the watch appears to be in good working order, good very fine (7) £1,400-£1,800

Only 12 awards of the D.C.M. to the 14th Hussars in the Great War.

D.C.M. Field Regimental Order No. 1477, dated 11 September 1916; London Gazette 25 November 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He assisted to carry his Troop Officer a distance of 1,000 yards under intense fire, displaying great courage and devotion to duty.’

From the regimental history it is clear that Lance-Corporal Friskey, together with Sergeant J. Limbert and Private P. Rogers, who was severely wounded in two places, were each awarded the D.C.M. for bringing in 2nd Lieutenant C. G. Deakin, who was mortally wounded in the attempt to capture the Bridge over the Hai River on 21 May 1916:

‘It was 4.30 a.m. that the first firing had broken out and “B” and “C” Squadrons took up their position in line in the trench, about 1,400 yards from the Hai River and 600 yards from the nearest Turkish trenches.

“B” Squadron was on the left of “C” and Colonel Hewitt decided to prolong the line to the right and endeavour to work forward on that flank. With this object in view he brought up “A” Squadron on the right of “C” and despatched a Troop of “D” Squadron, under 2nd Lieutenant C. G. Deakin, to work up the bank of the Tigris and locate the enemy bridge over the Hai. Lieutenant Deakin reached a bank overlooking the Tigris and opposite the eastern end of the town of Kut. Here he opened fire on a mahela which was making off up-stream, and was almost immediately engaged by a number of the enemy situated in trenches in the angle formed by the Hai and the Tigris. Heavily outnumbered as he was, he began a spirited fire fight with his opponents and was with difficulty restrained from advancing and endeavouring to take the position on his own. The remainder of “D” Squadron were ordered up in support and came into action on the right of “A” Squadron and a few hundred yards to the left of Deakin’s Troop.

‘The Regiment were now at 5.30 a.m. occupying a line roughly following the arc of a circle with the centre behind them. Thus the right centre Squadron, “A,” were somewhat nearer to the enemy than those on their right and left.

‘Still carrying out his plan to advance to the right, Colonel Hewitt ordered “A” and “D” Squadrons to move forward and occupy the next trench in front, meanwhile drawing in “B” and “C” Squadrons along the first trench, thus placing them in echelon behind the behind the left flank of “A.” These movements were made in accordance with the position of the existing trenches, any movement in the open drawing a heavy rifle fire from the enemy, who were now obviously in considerable strength and certainly appeared to have no intention of giving up their position guarding the bridge.

‘They began shelling our horses and also landing some high explosive back near the Brigade who were halted about two miles behind. Not very much damage was done however. Just then the Adjutant came along looking for the Assistant Surgeon. “Deakin is hit,” he said, “rather badly I’m afraid, in the head.” Soon after that a man came along and said that Captain Mewburn was also hit in the head. We were apparently in a communication trench, and “A” and “D” Squadrons after advancing along it for some distance had crossed from it into another which ran parallel to it between them and the enemy. Mewburn having reached this cross trench was sitting on the side of it watching the rest of his Squadron coming forward when he was hit in the back of the head and, I imagine, killed outright. Deakin was hit near the eye and was still alive when he was carried back past us, but died on the way to the ambulance.’