Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Italian campaign 1918’ D.C.M. and ‘Battle of Poelcappelle 1917’ M.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major H. Ward, 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1825 C.S. Mjr: H. Ward. M.M. 2/R. War: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (1825 Sjt: H. Ward. 2/R. War: R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (1825 Pte. H. Ward, R. War: R.); British War and Victory Medals (1825 W.O. Cl. 2. H. Ward. R. War. R.) nearly very fine (5) £2,000-£2,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 8 September 1918 [Italy]:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a party of men in a successful raid. Seeing some of the enemy attempting to escape he rushed forward and wounded one, bringing him back a prisoner. He led the party with great courage and skill. He alos reconnoitred the position before the raid several times in daylight.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘Nr. Ambrosini, 16 April 1918.’

The Battalion War Diary for 16 April 1918 states: ‘Weather dull. Capt T. Lynch, D.C.M. M.M., 2 Lt Lawrence and 2 Lt Barton M.C. with 40 other ranks raid Austrian trenches at AmbrosiniI - 2 Lt A. Edwards was in command of the covering party. Raid commenced at 4.50 A.M. and continued until 5.20 A.M. It was very successful - one prisoner was taken, also a searchlight. 2 Lt F. C. Bolton, M.C., was slightly wounded. Battn is relieved by 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers and marches to billets at Monte Brusaro.’

M.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917.
Awarded for the battle of Poelcappelle, near Judge Copse on 9 October 1917. The award is noted in the Battalion war diary together with that of 1441 Sergeant F. Moon, who was killed in the action.

Harry Ward was born in Birmingham on 2 April 1892, and joined the Army at about the age of 18. He landed at Zeebrugge on 4 October 1914, with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Married in November 1918, he was discharged from the army on 27 February 1919, and went to live in Herbert Road, Small Heath, Birmingham. He died in Birmingham in 1949.

Sold with copied research including copied gazette notices, D.C.M., M.M. and Medal Index Cards, and extracts from the Battalion War Diary.