Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 208

A pre-War veteran's 'Cambrai 1917' D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant J. Kendall, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, late 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, whose bravery in leading his working party against a German breakthrough won him plaudits only for him to die of wounds on 25 October 1918 less than three weeks before the Armistice

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (11663 Cpl J. Kendall. 4/Worc:R.); 1914 Star (11663 Pte J. Kendall. 1/Worc:R.); British War and Victory Medals (11663 Sjt. J. Kendall. Worc. R.), minor contact marks and edge pitting, overall very fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 May 1918, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was working with a fatigue party behind the lines when the enemy broke through. Collecting a party of twenty men, he kept the enemy at bay with rifle fire, until reinforced some hours later. He then led his men forward in a counter-attack, drove the enemy out, dug and consolidated the position and held it until relieved. His skilful leadership and fine display of initiative undoubtedly saved a critical situation.'

Provenance:

DNW Auctions, March 2013.

Jabez Kendall was born in April 1888, the son of Hebert and Ellen Kendall of 26 York Road, Bromsgrove. The young Kendall enlisted at Bromsgrove at some stage prior to 1911 and was serving as a Private with the Worcestershire Regiment at the time of the 1911 Census. When the war began they were stationed in Egypt, but were swiftly transported back to Britain via Gibraltar and Kendall, along with the rest of the 1st Battalion, entered the war in France on 5 November 1914.

In France the Battalion faced an unpleasant introduction to the trenches at Neuve Chapelle. Heavy bombardment and freezing weather resulted in one in four soldiers suffering from frostbite and trench foot after just five nights in the trenches. The men then had to suffer the 'retreat from Moscow': a six-mile march from the front to La Gouge through the heavy snow and by mid-December a reported 440 men had experienced frostbite in that battalion alone. Faced with heavy action at Aubers Ridge in March 1915 they later went into action at Passchendaele in 1917.

Kendall was promoted Corporal and transferred to the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. It was with them that he was to win his award in early 1917, when a German breakthrough reached his fatigue party behind the lines. It is likely this occurred on the night of 29-30 November when the regiment faced a heavy attack in the town of Marcoing. Later they moved into Flanders, where they were stationed in the vicinity of Lys from April-September 1918. By that point the 4th Battalion were in a position to advance up the Lys Valley, which they did - though not without resitance; notably during the relief on 5 September they were gassed. Finally engaged in the last Battle of Ypres from 28 September-2 October 1918, the battalion faced a number of stern actions. At some stage in early October 1918, possibly 19 October, Kendall was wounded in the legs - he received treatment at 31 Ambulance train but the severity of the wounds resulted in his legs being amputated. Despite this last-ditch attempt to save him Kendal died on 25 October 1918 and is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Boulogne; sold together with copied research including newspaper cuttings, census data and M.I.C. as well as medal rolls, London Gazette entries and Commonwealth War Graves data along with information on both 1st and 4th Battalions, Worcestershire Regiment.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£600