Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1914 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant P. Pickles, 4th Hussars, subsequently killed in action at Moreuil Wood, 31 March 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5390 L.Cpl. P. Pickles. 4/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (5390 Sjt. P. Pickles. 4-Hrs.) edge bruise and contact marks to DCM, very fine or better (3) £600-800

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915: 5390 Lance-Corporal Pickering [sic]. J., 4th Hussars
‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability on 20th November 1914. When the German Infantry had gained some success, and were following this up, Lance-Corporal Pickering [sic] with only three men, opened a destructive fire on the enemy at 20 yards range, and drove them away.’

London Gazette 26 June 1918:
‘Alteration of Names: 5390 L./Cpl. P. Pickles, Hrs., awarded the D.C.M. in the London Gazette dated 3rd June 1915. This soldier (now deceased) enlisted under the assumed name of “J. Pickering”.’

Percy Pickles, a reservist from Oldham, Lancashire, enlisted under the assumed name of J. Pickering and ‘left home on 5th August 1914, and has been at the front since the early stages of the campaign. At the end of last year he came over to England on 72 hours’ leave, and when visiting his relatives told one of his brothers that he had saved some machine guns and had been recommended for the D.C.M. In a recent letter home he says: “I had a bit of good news the other day. You remember me saying I had been recommended for the D.C.M. Well, I received official notice the other day that I am entitled to wear the ribbon. I expect I shall get the medal when I come home.’ (Oldham Chronicle, 5 June 1915 refers).

Advanced Sergeant, Pickles was killed in action on the Western Front on 31 March 1918: ‘At about 1:00 p.m. an urgent message came from General Bell-Smyth, ordering the regiment to gallop up to Windmill Hill and get into dismounted action, as the infantry of the 8th Division had been driven out of Mereuil Wood. All three squadrons were dismounted, as the ground was quite unsuitable for any mounted action. Rapid fire was at once opened, range 900 yards, at the Germans, who were debouching from the western edge of he wood. This at once stopped them, and they could be seen running back to the wood or digging-in in the open. The Hotchkiss rifles did good work in silencing the enemy automatic weapons, and “D” battery did some pretty execution at a good target. Later on squadrons of the 5th and 16th Lancers came into the alignment. Owing to the lie of the country, both “A” and “C” Squadrons had to go farther forward than “B” Squadron to get their field of fire. In the evening the enemy captured Rifle Wood, on our left, and were able to bring enfilade machine-gun fire on “A” and “C” Squadrons, and heavy casualties were caused. Colonel Darley was riding near the Brigadier, when again a shell pitched right under his horse; unfortunately, it was not a dud, and the horse “Bill” and Colonel Darley were killed instantly. he was buried later at Thiennes. Major Laing then took over command of the Regiment. Having no entrenching tools on the men these had to be sent back for from the tool packs with the lead horses which were below Windmill Hill. Extra ammunition had also to be got up. By nightfall the casualties had become very heavy, but the remainder of the men dug themselves in well. The Hotchkiss gun numbers had had very heavy losses.’ (The 4th (Queen’s Own) Hussars in the Great War refers).

Pickles has no know grave, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.

Sold together with a newspaper cutting photograph of the recipient.