Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant C. Jenkerson, 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, for gallantry at Rancourt, near Bapaume, on 1 September 1918, when he assisted in the capture of a machine-gun crew of 12 men; he was killed in action on 23 October 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (14195 Sjt. C. Jenkerson. 8-E. Surr. R.); British War and Victory Medals (14195 Sjt. C. Jenkerson. E. Surr. R.) very fine (3) £800-£1,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Rancourt on 1st September, 1918, in mopping up a large area of old trenches. He located a machine gun which was causing trouble, and with one man crept up and bombed it, showing such determination that the crew of 12 lost their nerve and surrendered.’

Curtis Jenkerson was born in Quebec, Canada. A locksmith by trade, he enlisted at Rotherhithe on 20 October 1915, aged 23 years 3 months. He served in France with the 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment from 1 May to 18 September 1916, and from 18 April to 5 May 1917; with the 13th Battalion from 5 May 1917 to 9 August 1918, and thereafter with the 8th Battalion until his death in action on 23 October 1918. He is buried in Montay British Cemetery, near Le Cateau.

Sold with copied research including service papers, which note that he was wounded four times; 8th Battalion war diary extracts; and Medal Index Card which notes that a duplicate D.C.M. was issued to the Records Office, Hounslow.