Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘River Scheld’ operations D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private J. Murphy, Durham Light Infantry, late West Riding Regiment, for marked gallantry in bringing in wounded under heavy machine gun fire

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (66333 Pte. J. Murphy 2/6 Durh: L.I.); 1914-15 Star (16310 Pte J. Murphy W. Rid. R.); British War Medal (16310 Pte J. Murphy W. Rid. R.) very fine (3) £400-£500

D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919; citation published 2 December 1919:
‘On 5th November 1918, during the recent operations on the River Scheldt, near Esquelmes, he heard that two men had been severely wounded whilst out on patrol, and that another two had been wounded when trying to rescue them. Immediately it was dusk he went out over 500 yards of ground which was being heavily swept by enemy machine gun fire, and succeeded in dragging back one of the wounded men. He made his way back to Company Headquarters, returned with another rescue party, and get the other wounded man in, although absolutely worn and fatigued himself. He showed marked gallantry, and prevented the enemy from obtaining identifications.’

James Murphy attested for the West Riding Regiment at Birchington-on-Sea, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 4 April 1915. Transferring to the Durham Light Infantry, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry on the River Scheldt on 5 November 1918, in the last week of hostilities, before later transferring to the North Staffordshire Regiment.