Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) (Corpl. John Waugh, R.E. 30th Apl. 1915) nearly extremely fine £180-220

‘The Royal Engineers were practising trench warfare at Colchester, and on the afternoon of 29th April, 1915, a mine was exploded. The earth was broken up, but no crater was formed, and on the morning of the 30th April a party of men were sent to clear away the loose earth so that the mine chamber could be inspected, but with orders not to enter the gallery. Contrary to instructions Sap. Williams entered the gallery and did not return, and Saps. Scott, Simpson, Bullock and Lichfield went in to try to get him out, but failed in their object and were all more or less affected. Cpl. Blythe then went in and got these four men out unaided; 2nd Lieut. E. J. Darton then went in to try and reach Williams, but did not return. Cpl. Blythe made a heroic effort to reach Lieut. Darton, but failed and had to be removed to the hospital. Maj. de Lotbinière, 2nd Lieut. Lynam, and several other men made gallant efforts to reach Lieut. Darton and Williams, and eventually they were got out, but both had succumbed to the carbon monoxide gas present in the gallery after the mine was exploded’ (Ref. R.H.S. case No. 41,502).

Silver medals were voted to Maj. H. G. Joly de Lotbinière, R.E., 2nd Lieut. C. G. J. Lynham, R.E., Sergt. Gavin Senior, Cpl. Walter Blythe, Cpl. John Waugh. Bronze medals were awarded to eight others. An “In Memoriam” medal was awarded to the relatives of 2nd Lieut. E. J. Darton.