Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Great War 1917 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant J. R. Babcock, 2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry, for his gallantry in capturing single-handedly an officer and 41 other ranks at the Battle of Presnoy

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (413106 A.Sjt: J. R. Babcock. 2/Can: Inf:) suspension claw slack, edge bruising and contact marks, worn, therefore fine £700-£900

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst in search of snipers, he entered a cellar and captured single-handed an officer and 41 other ranks making them file out of the cellar at the point of his bayonet and then detailed them to Battalion Headquarters. He showed marvellous coolness and courage.’

James Robert Babcock was born in Rossmore, Ontario, on 5 April 1891, and attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 7 May 1915. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry, he served with them during the Great War on the Western Front, and was advanced Sergeant on 22 June 1916. He was wounded by shrapnel to the right arm at Courcellette in October 1916, and was wounded a second time, this time to the left leg, at Arras in May 1917. For his gallantry at Presnoy he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, an action that was mentioned in his unit’s history:
‘When the other companies were attacking the village, Sergeant J. R. Babcock, with help of Private G. Finlay, of No. 3 Platoon, located a sniper on the southern outskirts of Presnoy. They did more, however. In the process they captured a couple of Boche officer and 37 N.C.O.s and men. These were all directed, under walking wounded escort, to Nine Elms.’

Babcock was discharged medically unfit on 31 January 1918, and died on 17 March 1955.

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