Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ Battle of Loos 1915 D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private J. Francis, 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, for his gallantry in carrying a wounded officer, from an advanced position, some 200 yards under heavy fire, to safety, during which action he was wounded

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (12674 Pte. J. Francis. 9/Devon: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (12674 Pte. J. Francis. Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals (12674 Pte. J. Francis. Devon. R.) nearly very fine (4) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry. During an enemy counter-attack he carried a wounded officer, from an advanced position, some 200 yards under heavy fire, and, although wounded himself while doing so, he persisted in his efforts until he had gained our trenches.’

James Francis enlisted on 7 September 1914 as a Private in the Devonshire Regiment for the duration of the War and joined the 9th (Service) Battalion under training on Salisbury Plain. The battalion disembarked at Havre joining the 7th Division at Wizernes on 31 July 1915. Their first major action took place during the attack on Loos on 25-26 September 1915. It was in this action that Frances was recognised for his act of bravery and during which he received serious wounds that resulted in his discharge 1 March 1917.

C. T. Atkinson’s Great War History of the Devonshire Regiment references the rescue: ‘Captain [S. C.] Nation was badly wounded and had to be left behind... He escaped capture by hiding in a dug-out and next day succeeded in crawling back to Gun Trench... To get him to the dressing station meant crossing 200 yards of ground swept by shells and rifle fire, but two men of his company [13263 Cpl R. J. Melhuish and 12674 Pte J. Francis] volunteered to carry him and accomplished the errand safely using a trench ladder as a stretcher.’

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