Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘posthumous’ Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Private J. Sumner, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, late Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who died at home on 31 October 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (18418 Pte. J. Sumner. 2/R. Ir. Regt.) minor edge bruising and light contact marks, nearly very fine £700-£900

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919; citation published 11 March 1920:
‘On 10 November 1918 [sic], at Nouvelles, for great gallantry. During the operation when trench mortar ammunition was urgently required in the front line, he drove his limber through heavy fire, delivering the ammunition and enabling the attack to succeed. He has previously shown great coolness and devotion to duty under fire.’

John Sumner was born in King’s Cross, London, and attested for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Holloway, London. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 May 1915, before transferring to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at Nouvelles in 1918. He died at home on 31 October 1918 (date confirmed by both the C.W.G.C. Roll of Honour and Soldiers died in the Great War), and is buried under a C.W.G.C. Commission headstone in Islington Cemetery, London.