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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 644

The 'Special Brigade 1915' D.C.M. awarded to Corporal R. Lee, 189 Field Company, Royal Engineers, late King's Own Scottish Borderers, who was later discharged having been gassed in 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R (147037 Cpl. R. Lee. 189/Coy:R.E.), good very fine

D.C.M. London Gazette 29 November 1915, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry on the 13th October, 1915. After a gas attack, while he was standing in the trench with Corporal Midgley, the latter, with great bravery, went over the parapet to bring in a wounded Highlander, but was hit in the thigh by a piece of shell Corporal Lee, without any hesitation, and regardless of all personal danger, immediately went out and brough the wounded man into safety. Both Non-Commissioned Officers gave a fine example of devotion to duty.'

Note the award originally incorrectly gazetted to 113575 W. E. Lee, the D.C.M. Index card in Lee's name states 'Previously down as 113575 Cpl. W. E. Lee.'

Ralph Lee was a native of Station Town Wingate, County Durham and enlisted on 5 September 1914 with the 7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers with the number 13775. Entering the war in France on 9 July 1915 (Star) he was at some stage transferred to 189 Field Company, part of the Special Brigade, Royal Engineers responsible for Britain's chemical warfare.

His act of gallantry came in the aftermath of the Battle of Loos during a gas attack. His award was initially confused with and made in error to another member of the Special Brigade who had a similar surname and whose number was similar to Lee's original number.

Continuing to serve for the duration of the war he was reported to have been gassed in late 1918, although whether this was the result of his work or enemy action is unclear. He was discharged as a result of his injuries on 3 October 1918; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£2,000

Starting price
£320