Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front 1918’ D.C.M. and ‘Salonika 1917’ M.S.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant-Major Septimus Pugh, 4th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, later King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6321 C.S. Mjr. S. Pugh. 4/K.R. Rif: C.); 1914-15 Star (6321 C.S. Mjr. S. Pugh. K.R. Rif: C.); British War and Victory Medals (6321 W.O.Cl.II. S. Pugh. K.R. Rif. C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (6321 C.S. Mjr: S. Pugh. 4/K.R.R.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (6837120 W.O. Cl. 1. S. Pugh. D.C.M. K.O.Y.L.I.) medals unmounted, light contact marks,. otherwise good very fine (6) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919; citation published 11 March 1920:
‘He has since 24th September, 1918, taken part in all the heavy fighting in which the battalion has been engaged during that period. His work throughout has been of the highest order, and of the utmost value to the battalion.’

M.S.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917 (Salonika).

Septimus Pugh was born on 24 July 1881, and joined the army around 1905. At the outbreak of war he was serving with 4/K.R.R.C. at Gharial, India, who sailed from Bombay in October 1914 and arrived at Plymouth on 18 November, from where they proceeded to Winchester to join the 80th Infantry Brigade, 27th Division. In December 1914, the Division embarked at Southampton and landed in France at Le Havre on the 20. The Division spent most of 1915 in France, taking part in the Second Battle of Ypres, before sailing from Marseilles for Salonika in November 1915. The Division took part in various minor actions in Salonika during 1916 and 1917 in the Struma Valley. In June 1918, 4/K.R.R.C. left 27th Division in Salonika and travelled via Itea (Greece) and Taranto (Italy) to Serqueux (France). On 16 July 1918, they joined 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division at Martin Eglise. This Division had suffered very heavy casualties in the German Spring offensive and needed reinforcements. The Division took to the field again in October 1918 and took part in the battles of the Hindenburg Line and the final advance into Picardy. 4/K.R.R.C. remained with the Division for the rest of the war, being at St Remy-Chaussee to the north-west of Avesnes on 11 November 1918.

In early October 1918, 4/K.R.R.C. marched from Epehy to trenches at Bony, and on 3 October attacked the villages of Le Catelet and Gouy. Both villages were captured although the battalion suffered heavy casualties, whilst capturing 253 prisoners and 35 machine guns. Further attacks were made on 4 October, although this time casualties were light and they were relieved on the 5th, withdrawing to trenches in the Hindenburg Line. On the 8th the battalion attacked again in the vicinity of Marliches and Petit Verger Farms, withdrawing to billets in Aubencheul that evening, having suffered 57 casualties that day.

On 10 October the battalion proceeded to Maretz and on the 17 were in position around St Souplet and advanced to attack, crossing the River Selle. On the 19 the battalion marched to Avelu, reaching Maurois on the 29, and Le Cateau on the 30. The battalion had suffered 351 casualties in killed, wounded and missing during the month of October. The battalion was in action on 4 November, suffering a further 33 casualties and again on the 5, when casualties were light. On the 6 the battalion went into billets at Noyelles, and on the 7 proceeded to St Remy-Chaussee, being in action that day and on the 8, prior to the armistice on 11 November.

Pugh stayed in the army after the war, and by 1922 was a Sergeant-Major on 2/K.R.R.C. In August 1922 he was transferred to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, with whom he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in November 1923 in recognition of 18 years exemplary service. He was discharged from the army on 4 January 1826, becoming a publican at The Fox and Hounds at Tadley, near Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Sold with copied research including gazette notices, D.C.M., M.S.M. and Medal Index Cards.