Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 83


A Great War 1918 ‘Battle of Havrincourt’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal L. Williams, 2/4th Battalion, West Riding Regiment, late Yorkshire Regiment, who went single-handedly down an enemy trench with his Lewis gun, killing 2 and forcing the rest to surrender. He was twice wounded during the Great War


Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (34588 Pte L. Williams. 2/4 W. Rid: R.); British War and Victory Medals (42501 Pte L. Williams. York. R.) with West Riding Regiment cap badge, toned, nearly extremely fine (3)


£800-£1,000 D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919:


‘For conspicuous gallantry in operations near Havrincourt between 12th and 15th September, 1918. This man, who was the only Lewis gunner left of his team, went forward with his gun down a trench and fired on a party of the enemy who were attacking another part of our line. He killed two and the remainder surrendered.’


Layland Williams was a native of Paignton, Devon, and was employed as a gardener at Barcombe Hall, Paignton prior to the Great War. He attested for the Royal Artillery at Exeter in September 1916, and transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment in January 1917. Williams was posted to the 9th Battalion later the same month, and served with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 10 January 1917. He transferred to the 3rd Battalion in April 1918, and was wounded in action the following month.


Williams transferred to the 2/4th Battalion, West Riding Regiment in July 1918. He advanced to Lance-Corporal and suffered a gunshot wound to the forehead, 4 November 1918.


84


A good Great War ‘Battle of Canal du Nord - capture of Sauchy L’Estree’ D.C.M. group of three to Corporal W. Higgins, 2nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), who, leading a party of four men managed to capture an officer, 29 other ranks, four machine guns, and bomb out a party of snipers - shooting the last himself at point blank range


Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (282040 Cpl. W. Higgins. 2/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4796 Cpl. W. Higgins. 4-Lond. R.) contact marks overall, therefore good fine or better (3)


£700-£900 D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1919:


‘For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership near Sauchy L’Estree, on 27th September 1918. In charge of a party of four men he captured an officer and 29 other ranks with four machine guns. He then bombed a party of snipers who were causing casualties, shooting the remaining sniper himself from point-blank range.’


William Higgins was a native of Barnsbury, and initially served during the Great War with the 4th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). He subsequently transferred to the 2nd Battalion, and was serving with them as part of the 56th (London) Division when it captured Sauchy L’Estree during the Battle of the Canal du Nord, 27 September 1918:


‘Slowly but surely all opposition was overcome, except in the case of a machine-gun nest, which, situated in a trench some 300 yards from the northern point of Cemetery Wood, put up a splendid resistance. This gun covered the whole of the northern face of the wood by its fire; and No. 2 Platoon, in attempting to push out a post along a trench running north-east from the wood, sustained several casualties. The post was later established under cover of darkness by Corpl. Higgins, who captured 30 prisoners and 4 machine guns in the trench in question. Nos. 1 and 3 Platoons (2nd Lieut. Davis) made four unsuccessful attempts to capture the enemy’s machine gun, and in their endeavours lost Sergts. Stevens and Cann and Corpl. Brazier. A fifth attack was delivered in the gathering dusk and was rewarded with ultimate success. One German gallantry fought the gun to the last and was captured with it.’ (The 2nd City of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) in the Great War (1914-19) by Major W. E. Grey refers)


Higgins was discharged 15 April 1919 (entitled to a Silver War Badge). 85


A Great War 1918 ‘Battle of Épehy, Somme’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant G. P. Herzog, 12/13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers


Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (46358 Sjt G. P. Herzog. 12/13 North’d Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (46358 Sjt. G. P. Herzog. North’d Fus.); Defence Medal, minor edge bruising, very fine (4)


£700-£900 D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919:


‘For marked gallantry and good work on 18th September, 1918, near Vaucellette Farm, Éphey. While in charge of the battalion scouts he repeatedly patrolled the enemy positions at great personal risk, and obtained information of the highest importance to the success of the operation. He was afterwards very severely wounded when on patrol.’


Gordon P. Herzog was native of Brixton. He distinguished himself whilst serving as a Sergeant with the 12/13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during the Battle of Épehy, on the Somme, 18 September 1918.


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