A Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant Major C. Miller, 12th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, late Coldstream Guards

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20624 C.S. Mjr: C. Miller. 12/Durh: L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (9953 Pte C. Miller, Cldstm: Gds:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (9953 Pte C. Miller. Coldstream Guards.); 1914-15 Star (20624 Sjt. C. Miller, Durh. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (20624 A.W.O. Cl. 1. C. Miller. Durh. L.I.) with photographic image of recipient, contact marks overall, nearly very fine (5) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kenneth Petrie Collection.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 6 February 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When several men were buried in a dug-out by an enemy barrage he went along the top of the trench and dug them out single-handed. His prompt action undoubtedly saved their lives.’

Charles Miller was a native of Spennymoor, County Durham, and was a horse-slaughterer by trade. He served with the Coldstream Guards during the Second Boer War, and with the 12th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War in the French theatre of war from 25 August 1915. The Battalion moved to Italy from November 1917, and took up positions at Montello along the River Piave, 4 December 1917. Miller subsequently transferred to the Labour Corps.