Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 58
A superb Great War ‘Battle of Aubers Ridge’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal A. H. Wigmore, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, for his conspicuous gallantry near Rue de Bois on 9 May 1915, when, despite overwhelming odds, he voluntarily brought into cover eight wounded men whilst exposed to heavy machine gun, rifle and sniper fire- in the words of the Official History of the War, ‘It was impossible to reinforce or bring back the survivors because any movement in No Man's Land, even of an individual, at once attracted the enemy's fire’
Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (780 Cpl. A. H. Wigmore. 2/K.R.R.C.); 1914-15 Star (Y-780 Pte. A. H. Wigmore. K.R. Rif: C.); British War and Victory Medals (Y-780 Sjt. A. H. Wigmore. K.R. Rif. C.) edge bruise and light scratches to first, good very fine or better (4)
£800-£1,200
Provenance: Peter Wardrop Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2000.
D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916 (citation published 11 March 1916): 'For conspicuous bravery, he went out voluntarily and brought in eight men under heavy fire.' (Annotated Gazette states 'Rue du Bois 9th May 1915')
Arthur Henry Wigmore was born at Bullbrook near Shenfield, Bracknell, in 1893, and volunteered for service with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 1 September 1914, being allocated a ‘Y’ prefix to his regimental number which signifies an initial posting to either the 5th or 6th (Reserve) Battalions. Shortly having completed his recruit training, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 January 1915. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his conspicuous bravery near Rue de Bois on 9 May 1915, during the attack on the Aubers Ridge, when he voluntarily brought in eight wounded men whilst subjected to heavy machine gun, rifle, and shell fire. At dawn on 9 May 1915, preceded by a heavy but ineffectual artillery barrage, the first wave of attacking troops comprising the 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment and 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment of 2nd Infantry Brigade, left the shelter of their trenches to cross No Man's Land. Their objective was to form a lodgement some 30 yards in front of the enemy's first line defences, and then support the second wave, which was to storm and capture the trenches under a rapid covering fire. The distance that had to be crossed varied between 500 yards on the right to 100 yards on the left, but the ground in between was intersected by several wide ditches full of water and uncut barbed wire fencing. So inadequate had been the artillery barrage that as soon as the leading waves left the shelter of their trenches, heavy machine gun fire was opened up on them. Many men fell dead on the ladders and on the parapet, but the remainder doubled forward and were quickly reduced to a mere handful of men. Several isolated parties succeeded in reaching the enemy trenches, but they were so few in number that they were quickly dispatched by grenade and bayonet. The 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps was detailed to form part of the second wave in support of the Northamptonshire's, but in the face of heavy machine gun fire, never got within 30 yards of the uncut wire. About 7.30 a.m. orders were received to withdraw to the original position, but as the official history observed: 'It was impossible to reinforce or bring back the survivors because any movement in No Man's Land, even of an individual, at once attracted the enemy's fire'. Despite this seemingly impossible task, many gallant acts were performed in bringing in the wounded, including that by Wigmore. The 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps losses in this attack were 11 officers and 240 other ranks, killed, wounded and missing.
Wigmore was discharged on account of wounds received in action at Winchester on 4 May 1917, and was awarded a Silver War Badge. In later life he was employed as resident groundsman at Sunningdale Golf Club, and he died in Windsor on 27 December 1964.
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