Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare 1914 ‘Richeburg’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Battery Sergeant Major A. H. Sutton, Royal Field Artillery, who was presented with his award in the field by King George V

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (45661 Sergt., R.F.A. Richeburg. 1914) naming engraved, as commonly found on many of these awards which were presented in the field; 1914 Star (Cpl., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Sjt., R.A.); Belgian Croix de Guerre, generally very fine or better (5) £1200-1500

D.C.M. London Gazette 17 December 1914: ‘For gallantry and good work throughout the campaign. On two occasions he repaired the telephone under heavy shell and rifle fire.’ A note at the end of the list of DCM’s reads: ‘Any recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, whose name appears in the foregoing list, should forward the decoration by registered post to the Deputy Director of Ordnance Stores, Woolwich Dockyard, for the engraving to be made thereon if the Number, Rank, Name and Corps have not already been inscribed.’

Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 15 April 1918.

According to the War Diary of the 42nd Brigade R.F.A., Sutton was presented with the D.C.M. on two occasions. Firstly, with six other men, on 27 November 1914, between Westoutre and Berthen, by the G.O.C. 3rd Division. The Diary then records that the seven men of the Brigade were presented with the D.C.M. by His Majesty the King on 3 December 1914, at Locre, near Mount Kemel. This presentation was recorded in The Times on 7 December 1914.

The group is sold with the following original documents:

1. Letter of congratulation from Captain C. C. Lucas, A.D.C. to Q.M.G., G.H.Q.

2. Letter of congratulation from the Lord Mayor of York, dated 14th December 1914.

3. Certificate of Bravery by G.O.C. 38th (Welsh) Division, dated 22 August 1917: ‘Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has been in sole charge of the Battery Wagon Lines during the recent operations. The supply of ammunition to the Battery was maintained most expeditiously in face of great difficulties under heavy fire. This was mainly due to his untiring energy, courage and power of command. On 1st August 1917 when the advanced Battery wagon lines near the Yser Canal were heavily shelled causing several casualties, B.S.M. Sutton showed the same conspicuous qualities in quickly organising a move to a position of safety. B.S.M. Sutton is in possession of Distinguished Conduct Medal.’

4. Demobilisation Certificate which shows that he was born in 1890, enlisted at York on 24 Janurary 1907, and transferred to the Army Reserve as B.S.M. on 8 August 1919.

5. Discharge Certificate showing that Sutton was entitled to the above five medals, 1 wound stripe, 1 red and 3 blue service chevrons.

Battery Sergeant Major Arthur Harry Sutton died on 17 July 1954.