A Great War ‘Loos 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Company Sergeant-Major E. Pink, 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who later served with the 17th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, and died of wounds in July 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6510 C.S. Mjr: E. Pink. 11/Essex R.); 1914 Star (6510 L. Cpl. E. Pink. 2/Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (6510 W.O. Cl. 2 E. Pink. Essex R.) medals unmounted, good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918; citation published 17 April 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Prior to a raid his fine spirits under a hostile bombardment greatly helped to keep up the morale of the men. He led the leading wave with magnificent courage and disregard of danger. He has always been of the greatest assistance to his company commander.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘Loos, April-July 1917.’

Edward Pink, a native of Enfield, Essex, went to France as a Lance-Corporal with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, on 22 September 1914. He won the D.C.M. whilst serving as a Company Sergeant-Major in the 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment, at loos in the period April to July, 1917, but particularly for his gallantry during a trench raid. This raid was most likely the one carried out at Hill 70 on 28 June by the 18th Infantry Brigade, when three parties of the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company successfully demolished three shafts of the enemy’s mine system, all under the cover of 11th Essex Battalion. Captain Sanderson, acting O.C., 3rd Australian T.C., noted in his report (appended to 11th Bn. war diary): ‘I cannot praise too highly the excellent behaviour of the infantry (11th Essex Battn.) engaged on the raid under cover of which the above operation was carried out; particularly 1 Sergt and a Corporal were deserving of mention, but unfortunately, I did not get their names.’ Company Sergeant-Major Edward Pink died of wounds on 29 July 1918, received at Bellacourt the previous evening, whilst serving with 17th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, and is buried in Bellacourt Military Cemetery, Riviere, Pas de Calais.

Sold with copied research including D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards, gazette notices and various extracts from battalion war diaries.