A fine Great War ‘Palestine Campaign’ stretcher-bearer’s D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private W. Penlerick, 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, for ‘great gallantry and endurance in collecting wounded under fire consecutively for thirty-six hours’ during the battle of Nebi Samwil, 21-22 November 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (200998 Pte. W. Penlerick. 1/4 D.C.L.I.-T.F.); British War and Victory Medals(2857 Pte. W. Penlerrick. D. of Corn. L.I.) note spelling of surname, medals unmounted, some minor edge bruises, otherwise very fine and scarce to regiment (3) £1,000-£1,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 11 April 1918; citation published 1 May 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He, as stretcher-bearer, showed great gallantry and endurance in collecting wounded under fire consecutively for thirty-six hours. On one occasion he volunteered to proceed from a post to the front line under an extremely intense fire over an area in which several of his comrades had been wounded, but was recalled by order of his medical officer in the interests of the unit. His courage and utter indifference to danger were beyond praise.’

The Regimental History notes:
‘Under extraordinary difficulties the stretcher bearers carried out their work: at all times they deserved the highest praise. The following were conspicuous for their bravery and devotion to the wounded: Privates Ward, Kitchen, Pedlar, W. Penlerick, Warren, Holman and Rashleigh. Corporal Cattran, Aid-Post-Corporal, worked for many hours at a stretch and his faithful devotion undoubtedly saved many lives. The rocky sides of the hill upon which stand the village and mosque of Nebi Samwil made the carrying of the wounded an extremely arduous task, but in addition to the physical difficulty the hill side was swept by violent shell fire. All through this fire, the stretcher bearers worked with the greatest bravery.
Private Ward and Private Kitchen were wounded, the former dying three days later.
Pemlerick was awarded the D.C.M.’

78 D.C.M.s and 1 Bar awarded to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry during the Great War.

William Penlerick was from Helston, Cornwall, and originally served with the 2/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, with whom he went to India in 1914. He transferred to the 1/4th Battalion at Aden, then in Egypt before serving in the Palestine campaign. He was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry during the battle of Nebi Samwil on 21/22 November 1917, during the advance of the E.E.F. on Jerusalem. His obituary was published in The Light Bob, October 1960:

‘Penlerick. On the 26th July 1960, at St Lawrence’s Hospital, Bodmin, William Penlerick D.C.M. Mr Penlerick served in the 2/4th D.C.L.I. and went to India with them in 1914. He transferred to the 1/4th D.C.L.I. and served with them in Aden and won the D.C.M. at Nabulus in Palestine in 1917 where he was wounded.’

Sold with copied research including gazette notices, War Diary for 1/4 D.C.L.I. for November 1917, D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards, the latter annotated ‘Correct surname “Penlerick”.’