GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY 1717


A superb Great War ‘Old Contemptibles’ D.C.M. & Bar, M.M. group of six awarded to Serjeant J. Wood, 1st Battalion, Liverpool Regiment


DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. and Second Award Bar (8090 Sjt., J. Woods, 1/L’pool R.); MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (8090 Sjt. J. Woods, 1/L’pool. R.); QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (7146 Pte. J. E. Wood, S. Lanc. Regt.); 1914 STAR, with clasp (8090 Pte. J. Wood, 1/L’pool. R.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (8090 Sjt. J. Wood, L’pool. R.) mounted for display, note variation in spelling of surname, very fine (6)


£6000-8000


D.C.M. London Gazette 23 March 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy was threatening the flank and was bombing down a communication trench he bombed them back, and organised a block. The latter he held against repeated heavy attacks, and continued bombing the enemy until relieved on the following morning. It was largely due to his courage and determination that the hostile attacks were held up.’


Bar to D.C.M. London Gazette 15 November 1918. (Awarded for action at Ervillers on 8 August 1918) ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. When his officers became casualties he assumed command and led the company with great dash and determination under heavy fire. He showed a sound military knowledge throughout the attack and subsequent consolidation and patrolling, and proved a most capable leader.’


M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1919.


John E. Wood came from Garston, Merseyside. As a Private in the 1st Battalion Liverpool Regiment he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 12 August 1914.


1718


A good Great War D.C.M., M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. W. Chidgey, Dorsetshire Regiment


DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. (3-8106 Sjt. W. W. Chidgey, M.M., 6/Dorset R.); MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (3-8106 Sjt. W. W. Chidgey, 6/Dorset R.); 1914-15 STAR (3-8106 Pte. W. W. Chidgey, Dorset R.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (3 -8106 Sjt. W. W. Chidgey, Dorset R.), lacquered, generally good very fine (5)


£1600-1800 D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919:


‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 18 September 1918, at Gauche Wood. After the Battalion had advanced through the wood and captured a redoubt, touch was lost with the left, and this N.C.O. came under heavy fire from a trench on that flank. In hand-to-hand fighting he cleared the enemy from this trench, and later, although wounded, he collected some detached men and led them to the objective. His enterprise and endurance were a splendid example to all ranks.’


M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918.


Walter William Chidgey, who was a native of Bristol, enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment in September 1914, and won both of his decorations for his gallant deeds with the 6th Battalion. The award of his M.M. is confirmed in the regimental history as being in respect of a bloody raid carried out against enemy trenches at Beaumont Hamel on the night of 6-7 June 1918, when Chidgey was credited with killing two Germans and taking four prisoners - ‘It was a fierce and murderous work of not an hour’s duration: one of the three definite occasions when the blood was hot for killing and the Dorsets showed their fangs in real anger and slew their enemies face to face.’


Chidgey was discharged as a result of his wounds in April 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge. www.dnw.co.uk


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