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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 694

The Great War D.C.M. to Serjeant J. T. Curley, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was taken Prisoner of War by the Germans at the Battle of Arras in May 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2872 Sjt: J. T. Curley. 2/Lanc: Fus:), light contact marks, good very fine

D.C.M. London Gazette 6 July 1917, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work throughout and has at all times set a magnificent example to his men.'

John Thomas Curley was born on 1 March 1895 in Bolton, Lancashire as the oldest of seven children to Thomas Curley, a tobacco pipe maker, and his wife Margaret. By 1901 the growing family had relocated to Gateshead in Durham, but returned to Bolton by 1911 at which time the sixteen-year-old Curley was working as a cotton piercer.

Prior to the outbreak of the Great War, Curley enlisted with the Lancashire Fusiliers on 24 November 1913. He later disembarked at the Western Theatre with his Regiment on 22 August 1914, qualifying for the 1914 Star. Curley appears on the admission books for the 18th General Hospital at Etaples, France for the period 1915-16, but it is unknown for what reason he was admitted there or for how long he stayed.

Just months before being gazetted for his award of the D.C.M., Curley was with 'C' Company when he was taken prisoner of war by the Germans at Arras, France on 3 May 1917, reportedly unwounded. He seems to have been first imprisoned at the Denain P.O.W. camp before being moved to the Friedrichsfeld camp. While the date of Curley's release is not known, it is likely that he was held there for the remainder of the War, after which time he was repatriated to England.

He was certainly back in England by July 1919, when Curley was married to Mary Ann Carter in Bolton. The couple was to welcome a son Thomas in July 1921 and another son Robert in June 1926, both born at Bolton. Curley was discharged on 11 November 1919 being no longer physically fit for duty, possibly owing to his time as a prisoner of war, and was issued with Silver War Badge no. 341895.

The 1939 Register reveals the Curley family to be living at 55 Langshaw Road in Bolton, with the 44-year-old head of the family working as a heavy explosive munition's worker. Curley later died at Salford, Lancashire on 2 December 1869, with his widow Mary Ann claiming his pension.

Curley is further entitled to a 1914 Star trio and a Silver War Badge; sold together with copied research.


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Sold for
£520

Starting price
£320