Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Private R. W. Black, Norfolk Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3-7098 Pte. R. Black. 1/Norf: R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (3-7098 Pte. R. Black. 1/Norf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (3-7098 Pte. R. W. Black. Norf. R.); India General Service, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1919-21 (5764977 Pte. R. W. Black, 2 Bn. Norf. R.) attempted erasure to last letter; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (5764977Pte. R. W. Black. D.C.M., R. Norf. R.); together with two Regimental Prize Medals, bronze, the reverses engraved ‘N.R.M.R.C. 1934 Pte. R. Black.’ and ‘R.N.R. M.R.C. 1935 Pte. R. Black’ respectively, nearly very fine and better (6) £1400-1800

D.C.M. London Gazette 5 December 1918:
‘For great gallantry and tenacity in attacking an enemy machine-gun post. When his platoon commander called for volunteers to capture the gun, he rushed forward. His officer was killed within thirty yards of the hostile gun, but this private went on, killed the crew, and captured the gun, thus enabling his platoon to continue their advance. A magnificent effort.’

Robert William Black was born at East Rudham, King’s Lynn on 8 March 1895, and attested for service with the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment in 1914. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 October 1914, and his name is recorded in the War Office Casualty List as amongst the 60 other ranks from the 1st Battalion reported as killed, gassed or wounded, probably as a result of the attack on ‘The Mound’ on 17 April 1915, when the Battalion experienced the horrors of gas warfare for the first time (The Northern Whig, dated 1 June 1915, refers).

Black was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his great gallantry and tenacity at Buegny on 2 September 1918, when he volunteered to rush an enemy machine gun post which was holding up the advance of his platoon. When his platoon officer was killed within 30 yards of the hostile gun, Private Black continued to attack the position, and succeeded in killing the crew and capturing the gun. Following the Armistice, he continued to serve with the Regiment. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he served during the latter stages of the campaign in Waziristan, North West Frontier Province, in 1921, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1932. He was still serving with the 2nd Battalion in 1935. He died at Fakenham, Norfolk in 1948.

Note: The recipient’s Medal Index Card lists that he was ineligible for the clasp to his 1914 Star.