Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Neuve Chapelle, November 1914’ D.C.M. and ‘Battle of Dujaila Redoubt 1916’ Second Award Bar, Russian Cross of St George pair awarded to Colour-Sergeant Thomas Duffy, 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (899 Cpl. T. Duffy. 1/Manch: Regt.); Russia, Empire, Cross of St George, 3rd Class, the reverse numbered ‘104 759’, very fine (2) £2,000-£2,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1915; citation London Gazette 1 April 1915:

‘For conspicuous gallantry near Neuve Chapelle on 27th November 1914, in the attack on the enemy’s sap-heads, and subsequently for great courage in leaving his trench under very heavy machine-gun fire, and bringing three wounded men into cover.’

Bar to D.C.M. London Gazette 20 October 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry during an attack. Sjt. Duffy and his officer were the first men in a redoubt, and when the latter was wounded he led the men forward with great coolness and bravery.’

Russian Cross of St George, 3rd Class, London Gazette 24 August 1915.

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915 (France); 19 October 1916 (Mesopotamia); 15 August 1917 (Mesopotamia).

Thomas Duffy served with the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment in France and Flanders from 27 August 1914.

The 1st Manchesters embarked for the Mesopotamian campaign, accompanying the infantry element of the Indian Corps, from France in late 1915. The battalion took part in the Battle of Dujaila in March 1916, which was intended to relieve the British forces in Kut-al-Amara, which was being besieged by Ottoman forces. In the battle, the 1st Manchesters seized the trenches of the Dujaila Redoubt with the 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force); however, they were subsequently displaced by an Ottoman counter-attack, being forced back to their starting lines. During the withdrawal, Private Stringer held his ground single-handedly, securing the flank of his battalion. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The battalion diary records that ‘Lieutenant Morris and Sergeant Duffy were the first to enter the trenches, two lines of them being quickly occupied while the supporting companies followed up in a few minutes...’

A note on his DCM card indicates that a replacement was issued in September 1975 but this may refer only to the Bar. The naming on the DCM offered here is consistent with an original issue. There is a similar notation on the first two MID cards but not on the last one nor on his Medal Index Card