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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 209

A Great War D.C.M. group of four to Private W. Hand, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3865 L.Cpl W. Hand. 1/N.& D.R.); 1914-15 Star (3865 Pte W. Hand. Notts:& Derby:R.); British War and Victory Medals (3865 Pte. W. Hand. Notts. & Derby.R.), light pitting from Star, otherwise very fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1917.

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a Lewis gun section during the attack on Westhoek Ridge, on 31.7.1917. When his platoon was temporarily held up by a strong point, and half of them knocked out by a shell, he dashed straight at the enemy's position, firing his Lewis gun from the hip as he ran, and killed or captured the whole of the garrison of the enemy post. By this prompt and gallant action he enabled the advance to be continued.'

William Handwas born at Green Hill Lane, Derby in 1896 and was a hosiery maker at Lewis & Sons Ltd, Ilkeston Junction. He enlisted on 10 August 1914 and first entered the war in France on 29 November 1914. He took part in the fighting at Ypres on 31 July 1917 as a Lewis Gunner and was awarded his D.C.M. for his action there. The riband for his D.C.M. was pinned on his breast by his officer six days later on 6 August 1917 - which was his 21st birthday.

Hand was later gassed and additionally burned and wounded by shells and was subsequently sent to 18th General Hospital on 9 September 1917 where he remained until he was discharged on 30 October 1917; sold with a photocopied newspaper article confirming his award and service.

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Estimate
£700 to £1,000

Starting price
£550