A Great War 1914 ‘First Battle of Ypres’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Driver F. Bianchi, Royal Engineers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (25354 Dvr: F. Bianchi. 23/F. Coy. R.E.); 1914 Star, with clasp (25354 Dvr: F. Bianchi. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (25354 Dvr. F. Bianchi. R.E.) generally very fine (4) £2,400-£2,800

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2005.

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1915:
‘For conspicuous courage near Ypres on 9 November [1914], in voluntarily remaining alone for two hours with the horses, under continuous high explosive shell fire. Fifty horses were killed or wounded in his immediate vicinity’.

Frank Bianchi attested for the Royal Engineers, and served with the 23rd Field Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1914. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry near Ypres on 9 November 1914, on which date the Company was stationed at Veldhoek Chateau and was employed in making fire trenches and erecting loophole plates in the Chateau’s grounds.

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