Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War D.C.M. and Bar group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 W. R. Goodchild, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (109359 C.S. Mjr. W. R. Goodchild, 4/Can. M.R.); 1914-15 Star (109359 Pte. W. R. Goodchild, 4/Can. Mtd. Rif); British War and Victory Medals (109359 W.O. Cl. 2 W. R. Goodchild, 4-C.M.R.), generally very fine (4) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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One of just 36 D.C.Ms with Second Award Bar to members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty from 25 February to 17 September 1918. He has been present with his company in all actions during this period. During the action at Boiry on 28 August, when all his officers had become casualties, he assumed command of his company, and successfully directed the consolidation of the line in the face of heavy enemy opposition. He has consistently done good work.’

Bar to D.C.M. London Gazette 17 April 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 1 November 1918, near Valenciennes. When his Company Commander was holding at bay with his revolver the garrison of a machine-gun post, he organised a party of rifle grenadiers and crossed to the officer’s assistance. Together they rushed the post, wounding three and capturing two prisoners, as well as the gun.’

William Richard Goodchild was born in Winchester, Hampshire, England, on 14 August 1888, and enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in November 1914.

Subsequently allocated to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, he was embarked for France in October 1915, and went on to lend gallant and distinguished service as a member of ‘B’ Squadron, not least in 1918, when he won both of his D.C.Ms for the above cited deeds at Boiry and Valenciennes - on the latter occasion, he crossed the Canal du Nord by raft with 15 men, under heavy rifle grenade fire, before going to the rescue of Major C. H. McLean. And in the interim he would have shared in the regiment’s trials and tribulations on the Somme, at Vimy and Hill 70, in addition to Passchendaele.

Having been advanced to Company Sergeant-Major in the Field in January 1918, he was discharged back in Toronto in March 1919, when it was noted he had shrapnel scars on his left arm. He had also spent several months of 1917 in and out of various hospitals suffering with trench fever.

Goodchild died in December 1939 and is buried in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto; sold with copied service papers.