Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Serjeant W. A. Murgatroyd, 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in action, 20 March 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal (17650 L. Cpl., 2/R. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (17650 Pte., R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (GS-17650 Sjt., R. Fus.) nearly extremely fine (4) £1000-1200

D.C.M. London Gazette 6 February 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun post in front of the line. A party of about fifty of the enemy advanced against his post covered by snipers, but he mounted his gun and beat off the attack. He showed great contempt of danger, and set an excellent example to his men.’

William Allen Murgatroyd was born and lived in Skipton and enlisted at Keighley, Yorkshire. As a Private in the Royal Fusiliers, he entered the Balkan theatre of war on 28 August 1915. As a Corporal with the 2nd Battalion, serving on the Western Front, he earned the D.C.M. through his great bravery. He was killed in action on 20 March 1918, aged 28 years and was buried in the Oxford Road Cemetery, Flanders. He was the son of William and Margaret Elizabeth Murgatroyd, of Rock Villa, Skipton. With copied m.i.c., gazette, roll, and war diary extracts and casualty details; with badges added for display.