Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Western Front ‘Rieux, October 1918’ D.C.M. and ‘Somme 1916’ M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. J. Nicholl, 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (15868 Cpl. W. J. Nicholl. M.M. 1/R. Fus:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (L-15868 L. Cpl. W. J. Nicholl. 1/R. Fus:); 1914 Star, with clasp (L-15868 Pte. W. J. Nicholl. 1/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-15868 Sjt. W. J. Nicholl. R.Fus.) mounted as worn, contact marks and polished, good fine or better (5) £2,000-£2,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919; citation published 2 December 1919:
‘Early in the attack east of Rieux on 11th October, 1918, he assumed command of a platoon after the officer had become a casualty, and handled his men with great gallantry, coolness and initiative under very heavy machine-gun fire. By his able leadership he facilitated the advance of another unit which had been held up on the flank. Although his platoon suffered heavy casualties he held his ground and managed to establish a post which was of great assistance to the general advance.’

M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916. Most probably an award for the Somme.

William J. Nicholl hailed from Battersea, London, and served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in France and Flanders from 7 September 1914. The battalion was part of the 17th Brigade, 6th Division until October 1915, and thereafter part of the 24th Division. His M.M. was most likely an award for the Somme in 1916, and his D.C.M. a fine award for one of the battalion’s darkest days of the war. The battalion War Diary contains the following short and terse entry for 11 October 1918:

‘Rieux 11/10/18. Battalion went through a heavy barrage at Rieux when assembling for attack at 4 am. The intention was to pass through the 73rd Brigade. The Battalion was held up by enemy Machine Guns before reaching the first objective. Casualties were very heavy. It was impossible to advance against such fire owing to the nature of the country. Had there been artillery co-operation or a single tank the 3rd objective could easily have been gained. During the morning and whilst the 73rd Brigade were actually being relieved the enemy sent 1 tank forward which fired a burst of Machine Gun fire and a few shrapnel and immediately returned. During the night patrols were pushed out and the enemy having retired, posts were established on high ground west of Villers en Cauchies (sic) and St Aubert.’ Casualties: 4 Officers and 40 O.R. killed, 6 Officers and 181 O.R. wounded.’

Sold with copied research including War Diary extracts, gazette notices and Medal Index Card.