Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Acting Company Sergeant-Major A. W. Currie, Royal Fusiliers, who was twice wounded during the War

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (G/2689 Sjt. A. W. Currie. 11/R. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (GS-2689 L. Cpl. A. W. Currie. R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (GS-2689 Sjt. A. W. Currie. R. Fus.) light contact marks, good very fine (4) £700-£900

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty south of Albert, on 22 August 1918. After crossing the marshes, the company of which he was acting Company Sergeant-Major, became disorganised, and he walked up and down in the open, under intense machine-gun fire, re-organising and encouraging the men to push forward close up to the barrage. Later in the day, when touch with the right flank was lost, he went across the open under heavy fire and obtained liaison. His energetic conduct throughout was admirable.’

Arthur W. Currie attested for the Royal Fusiliers at Chiswick, London in September 1914, and served with the 11th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1 June 1915. Promoted Corporal on 29 October 1915, and Sergeant on 7 July 1916, he was wounded by gun shot to the left forearm on 7 November 1916 and evacuated to England.

Returning to the Front in February 1918 Currie was appointed Acting Company Sergeant-Major, and was awarded his Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry at the Railway embankment south of Albert on 22 August 1918- the Battalion War Diary gives the following extract:
‘At 1:00 a.m. the Battalion attacked in conjunction with the 6th Northants, on our right, enemy’s position east of the Ancre. The crossing of the Ancre was carried out under extreme difficulty owing to the marshy state of the ground on either side of the river. We carried the first objective and reorganised. Belleve Farm was captured at about 11:00 a.m. and our final objective reached at about 1:00 p.m. During the operation we inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy besides taking 300 prisoners and several machine guns.’

The Battalion War Diary records two officers and approximately 20 other ranks killed, and five officers and approximately 115 other ranks wounded in this operation.

Currie was wounded for a second time, by gun shot to the right shoulder and chest, on 1 September 1918, and was again evacuated to England. He transferred to Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 12 March 1919.

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