The DCM (GV) that I have had in my collection for many years is the following:
Lieutenant J. D. Hastie DCM, Royal Field Artillery
Distinguished Conduct Medal (GV) (30685 BQMS J. D. Hastie 93 Bty. 18 Brg. RFA), 1914 Star [bar] (30685 BQMS J. D. Hastie 93 Bty. 18 Brg. RFA), British War Medal (2 Lieut. J. D. Hastie), Victory Medal [MID] (2 Lieut. J. D. Hastie)
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant RFA 04.01.1918
John Dudley Hastie went to France on 27 September 1914 as Sergeant (30685) in the 18 Brigade RFA. He was awarded the DCM while a BQMS in the 93 Battery, 18 Brigade, RFA (possibly the battery that he arrived in France with) “… for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty in the field”. His citation appears in the London Gazette of 16 May 1916:
“For conspicuous gallantry. While his battery was under heavy shellfire, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell[1] and By. Qrmr.-Sgt. Hastie left shelter on their own initiative, and extinguished a fire in one of the gun pits which had been hit and in which the ammunition was ignited. They set a very fine example.”
He was was MID in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch of 7 November 1917 while Battery Sergeant Major (LG 14 December 1917 refers) as one of a list of “men deserving special mention”.
He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in January 1918 and promoted Lieutenant on 4 July 1919. Sometime between then and the end of December 1919 he reverted to the Reserve of Officers. According to his MIC he served with 5th Brigade RFA during the time he held a commission.
He retired with gratuity on 19 February 1920 as Lieutenant RFA.
His MIC confirms that his 1914 Star and bar trio was issued to him in November 1920.
[1] Lieutenant Campbell who is mentioned in Hastie's citation was 2nd Lieutenant Roland John Campbell, 59th Battery, 18th Brigade, RFA. His MC citation, except for the name, is exactly the same as Hastie's and was gazetted on the same date as Hastie's DCM.
Sunday, 1 July 2007
DCM (GV) to men who were later commissioned
For many years I only owned one Distinguished Conduct Medal (GV) but since December 2006 I have acquired a further two:
1) Lieutenant J. N. Lyons DCM, Royal Canadian Artillery
Distinguished Conduct Medal (GV) (1261949 SJT.J.N. LYONS. 6/ SGE. BY: CAN.G.A.)
With a Royal Canadian Legion President's Medal Name inscribed and dated 1944 to “J.A. Lyons Bridgewater, N.S.”
James Norbert Lyons was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada on 24/2/1885 and was a Civil Engineer by profession when he attested in November 1915. He is entitled to the 1915 trio.
His Citation L.G. 04/17/18 : "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on many occasions. On one occasion, when his detachment came under heavy fire, and several casualties occured, including his officer, he completed his task with great courage and resource, afterwards tending the wounded, and organizing stretcher parties while still under fire"
Commissioned Lieutenant on 13 August 1918 notification of which was published in the London Gazette Issue 30882 published on the 3 September 1918. Page 9 of 14
OVERSEA FORCES CANADA Can. Art.
The undermentioned to be temp. Lts.: —
13 Aug. 1918. No. 1261949 Serjt. J. N. Lyons.
2) Lieutenant F. W. Bailey DCM, Royal Garrison Artillery
Distinguished Conduct Medal (33990 A/ Corp. F. W. Bailey R.G.A.)
Frederick Walter Bailey was entitled to the 1914 Star and bar trio and Silver Would Badge.
The London Gazette Citation dated 3rd June 1915 states, "For gallantry on the 18th January 1915 near Rue du Bois in continuing to work the telephone after a wall had been blown in beside him. Was brought to notice on several occasions previously for gallantry in mending the telephone line whilst under fire".
He retired on 27 November 1919 on account of ill-health caused by wounds receiving a gratuity.
1) Lieutenant J. N. Lyons DCM, Royal Canadian Artillery
Distinguished Conduct Medal (GV) (1261949 SJT.J.N. LYONS. 6/ SGE. BY: CAN.G.A.)
With a Royal Canadian Legion President's Medal Name inscribed and dated 1944 to “J.A. Lyons Bridgewater, N.S.”
James Norbert Lyons was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada on 24/2/1885 and was a Civil Engineer by profession when he attested in November 1915. He is entitled to the 1915 trio.
His Citation L.G. 04/17/18 : "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on many occasions. On one occasion, when his detachment came under heavy fire, and several casualties occured, including his officer, he completed his task with great courage and resource, afterwards tending the wounded, and organizing stretcher parties while still under fire"
Commissioned Lieutenant on 13 August 1918 notification of which was published in the London Gazette Issue 30882 published on the 3 September 1918. Page 9 of 14
OVERSEA FORCES CANADA Can. Art.
The undermentioned to be temp. Lts.: —
13 Aug. 1918. No. 1261949 Serjt. J. N. Lyons.
2) Lieutenant F. W. Bailey DCM, Royal Garrison Artillery
Distinguished Conduct Medal (33990 A/ Corp. F. W. Bailey R.G.A.)
Frederick Walter Bailey was entitled to the 1914 Star and bar trio and Silver Would Badge.
The London Gazette Citation dated 3rd June 1915 states, "For gallantry on the 18th January 1915 near Rue du Bois in continuing to work the telephone after a wall had been blown in beside him. Was brought to notice on several occasions previously for gallantry in mending the telephone line whilst under fire".
He retired on 27 November 1919 on account of ill-health caused by wounds receiving a gratuity.
Brigadier R. H. Purvis CBE, HAC and RA
A couple of months ago I purchased an interesting Efficiency Medal group as follows:
1939-45 Star, Africa Star [1st Army], Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal [MID], Efficiency Medal (Territorial) with HAC ribbon (Capt. R. H. Purvis HAC).
It is the first group in my collection that correctly has the HAC medal on it.
The group was unresearched and I have been able to find that Richard Hopkins Purvis reached the rank of Brigadier, was created MBE in the New Years Honours of 1955 as
"Major (temporary) (now Captain) Richard Hopkins PURVIS (137112), Royal Regiment of Artillery" and created CBE in the Birthday Honours of 1975 as "Brigadier Richard Hopkins PURVIS, M.B.E. (137112), late Royal Regiment of Artillery."
One of my targets with all my medals is to find a photograph of the recipient and with Purvis I have been very lucky as I have found a small photo of him.
1939-45 Star, Africa Star [1st Army], Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal [MID], Efficiency Medal (Territorial) with HAC ribbon (Capt. R. H. Purvis HAC).
It is the first group in my collection that correctly has the HAC medal on it.
The group was unresearched and I have been able to find that Richard Hopkins Purvis reached the rank of Brigadier, was created MBE in the New Years Honours of 1955 as
"Major (temporary) (now Captain) Richard Hopkins PURVIS (137112), Royal Regiment of Artillery" and created CBE in the Birthday Honours of 1975 as "Brigadier Richard Hopkins PURVIS, M.B.E. (137112), late Royal Regiment of Artillery."
One of my targets with all my medals is to find a photograph of the recipient and with Purvis I have been very lucky as I have found a small photo of him.
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