Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Private L. H. Senior, 1/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2470 Pte. L. H. Senior. 1/4 O. & B.L.I.-T.F.) nearly extremely fine £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation London Gazette 11 March 1916:

‘For conspicuous good work when on patrol and when superintending or executing work in exposed positions.’

One of only 11 D.C.M.’s to this battalion.

The War Record of the 1/4th Battalion shows this D.C.M. as an award for Ploegsteert but in fact the battalion was based at Hebuterne at the time of the action, and gives a more detailed citation:

‘On 18 October 1915 during a heavy bombardment of one of the fire trenches, when he had gone to see the telephone wires, , he showed great coolness and succeeded in re-opening communication directly the heavy bombardment ceased. He remained in charge of the station as one signaller was killed and the others were very much shaken. He has done consistent good work throughout the campaign.’

The War Diary records: ‘On October 18th we had our first heavy shelling, when the enemy, half-an-hour before a projected demonstration by our artillery, fired countless 5.9” shells into G sector and reduced many of the trenches to pulp. This was the first sign that he had brought more guns into the Sector and our first experience of the comparatively new 5.9” How[itzer] shell.’

Sold with copied Medal Index Card which shows that he served in France from 29 March 1915, and that he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, unit not known. He was discharged from the 1/4th on 25 January 1918, presumably to commission.