A superb Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Acting Corporal Ernest Coles, 1st Battalion and 13th (Barnsley) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, who went to France with the B.E.F. in September 1914, was wounded in October 1914 and awarded an exceptional D.C.M. for great gallantry just two weeks prior to the Armistice when he single-handedly silenced an enemy minenwerfer

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7587 Pte.-A. Cpl., 13/York & Lanc. R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (7587 Pte., 2/York & Lanc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (7587 A. Cpl., Y. & L.R.) good very fine (3) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Fine Collection of Medals to 'Old Contemptibles' formed by Major Bob Keay.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 2 December 1919 (13th Battalion attached 93rd Light Trench Mortar Battery). ‘He displayed great initiative and gallantry whilst in charge of a 3 inch Stokes mortar during the period 22 October 1918 to 26 October 1918 at Pecq. On the 23rd a heavy enemy trench mortar was firing on our advanced positions. He volunteered to bring his Stokes gun into action against the enemy minenwerfer. By advancing his mortar to a most exposed position under direct observation by the enemy, he succeeded in silencing the enemy mortar. He alone served the Stokes mortar until it had fired thirty rounds. Throughout the period heavy artillery and machine-gun fire was directed against him, and it was entirely due to his audacity and complete disregard of personal safety that the enemy mortar was silenced.’

Ernest Coles was born in Lincoln in 1885 and enlisted into the York & Lancaster Regiment in January 1904. He served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 9 September 1914 and was wounded in the back and shoulder on 21 October 1914. After a period of convalescence at home he returned to the Western Front on 27 July 1915 where he served on and off until February 1919. Sold with copy service papers and m.i.c.