A Great War D.C.M. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 R. Whitfield, 1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry, late Dorsetshire Regiment, who, having been wounded in June 1915, was decorated in the following year for rescuing two buried machine-gunners

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6641 C.S. Mjr. R. Whitfield, 1/Can. I.B.); India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (4300 Pte. R. Whitfield, 1st Bn. Dorset. Regt.); 1914-15 Star (6641 Sgt. R. Whitfield, 1/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (6641 W.O. Cl. 1 R. Whitfield, 1-Can. Inf.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (4300 L. Sjt. R. Whitfield, Dorset. Regt.), the second with edge bruise, and the second and sixth with contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £1200-1400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 15 April 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry. A post in rear of the line having been severely shelled, he made his way up under heavy fire. When the post was evacuated he returned to rescue two machine-gunners who had been buried, and whose cries for help he had heard. He showed throughout absolute disregard for personal safety.’

Robert Whitfield, who was born in Whitburn, Scotland, in February 1874, served for 19 years in the Dorsetshire Regiment and was present in the Tirah and Punjab Frontier operations of 1897-98. Having then been awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal and discharged, he made his way to Canada and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier in September 1914.

Embarked for France in early 1915, where he joined the 1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry, he was wounded in the right leg on 15 June of the same year, and was evacuated to the American War Hospital at Paignton, Devon, but returned to his unit in the Field in the following month and was advanced to Company Sergeant-Major.

Awarded the D.C.M. for the above cited deeds early in 1916, together with a mention in despatches (London Gazette 15 June 1916 refers), he was advanced to Regimental Sergeant-Major and, time in hospital with influenza aside, remained on active service until returning to Canada in October 1917.

Latterly employed by Clearing Services Command, Whitfield was discharged in December 1919, aged 51 years; sold with copied service record.