A Great War ‘Kut al Amara’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal A. Evenett, 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was Mentioned in Despatches and subsequently died on the march in captivity

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8654 Cpl. A. Evenett. 1/O. & B.L.I.); 1914-15 Star (8654 L. Cpl. A. Everitt [sic]. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (8654 T. Cpl. A. Everett [sic]. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) Star finely gilded, otherwise good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1916

Arthur Evenett was born at Edmonton, London, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Stratford, Essex, about 1908. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War in the Mesopotamia from 5 December 1914, and was amongst those of the Battalion who were especially recommended by Major General Townshend, for distinguished service during the Defence of Kut al Amara, covering the period from 19 January to 30 April 1916. Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, he died of illness and starvation on the march in captivity between Samarra and Ras al ‘Ain, on 31 July 1916, after the surrender of the troops in Kut al Amara, aged 27. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

Note: One of his medal index cards is annotated with a note to the effect that the errors in naming had been noted, but that no action would be taken unless the medals were returned for amendment.

Sold with two original letters from the War Office dated in 1918 and 1919, regarding the payment of a War Gratuity to his surviving family.