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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 668

The unique 'Langemark 1917' D.C.M. group of four awarded Lance Corporal W. Hopwood, 3/10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, the only award of the D.C.M. to the Battalion

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (L-12316 Sjt: W. Hopwood. 3/10 Middx:R.-T.F.); 1914 Star (L-12319 L.Cpl W. Hopwood. 4/Midd'X R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-12316 A.W.O. Cl. 1. W. Hopwood. Midd'X R.), good very fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 November 1917, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon forward in the most gallant manner. After his company officers had become casualties he took command of the company and by skill and good leadership brought them out of the line with slight casualties.'

Walter Hopwood was born at Bethnal Green, London in 1887 and attested on 12 October 1908, being posted to the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He entered the war in France on 14 August 1914 seeing action at the Battle of Mons where the Regiment suffered heavy losses.

Hopwood survived the fighting and was advanced Lance Sergeant on 7 December 1914, being transferred Home on 6 January 1915 where he joined the 6th Battalion, likely in a training role. Returning to France with them on 8 March 1916 he was again posted back to Britain again on 10 July 1916.

Advanced Sergeant there on 1 January 1917 Hopwood was ordered to join the 3/10th Battalion in France on 12 April 1917. There the Battalion was in action during the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing heavy action Langemark as part of the Battle of Broodseinde. There the Battalion advanced into the German lines alongside the Seaforths only to find themselves halted by heavy machine gun fire.

They managed to dig in along a line of shell holes where they held on for days despite lacking supplies and ammunition. Having finally been relieved the battalion had suffered staggering losses, of 30 officers and 492 men they lost 12 officers and 365 men, effectively destroying them as a fighting unit. Hopwood astonishingly survived the bloody action and was appointed Company Sergeant-Major on 2 December 1917.

Further advanced Regimental Sergeant-Major on 12 March 1918 he returned to his previous rank on 11 July 1918. Finally returning home on 27 February 1919 Hopwood was demobilised on 27 March 1919, joining the Army Reserve from which he was finally discharged on 11 October 1920; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£700