Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front - Bois du Beugneux, July 1918’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal E. J. White, 4th Battalion, Royal Susex Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (200318 Cpl. E. J. White. 4/R. Suss: R.); 1914-15 Star (4-1861 Pte. E. J. White. R. Suss. R.); British War and Victory Medals (4-1861 Cpl. E. J. White. R. Suss. R.) medals loose, nearly very fine or better (4) £1,000-£1,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 October 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took over command of his company when all the officers and non-commissioned officers had become casualties. Under heavy fire and under his own initiative he reorganised the line with great skill and courage. At a critical period his grasp of the situation was largely responsible for the steadiness of his company in the advance.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘Bois du Beugneux’, date illegible.

The Battalion War Diary confirms the action at Bois du Beugneux on 28/29 July 1918.

The following article was published in the West Sussex Times, 26 October 1918, page 4:
‘The Great War - Horsham and District Jottings
And last but not least Corporal Edward J. White, Royal Sussex Regiment, was recently awarded the D.C.M. This young soldier had landed at Suvla Bay on the 8th August 1915 and fought through the Dardanelles Gallipoli campaign. Following this up by good work in Palestine, he was at the capture of Gaza and after over three years’ absence, was on the “road home” when he was called in on another front, was wounded, and is now in Blighty until his services are again required. Corporal White was one of captain & Adjutant Teague’s boys and was winner of the Boxing Competition at General Hutton’s Fete, just before the war.’

Sold with copied research including Attestation papers, gazette notices, Battalion War Diary extracts, and Medal Index Card.