Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal William Clegg, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was severely wounded on the first day of the battle of the Somme

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2-1653 Pte. W. Clegg. 2/Lanc: Fus:); 1914 Star, with clasp (1653 Pte. W. Clegg. 2/Lan: Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (1653 Cpl. W. Clegg. Lan. Fus.) mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robin Scott-Smith Collection of Medals to Casualties.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and good work throughout the campaign. He has invariably exhibited great coolness and courage in the performance of his duties, and particularly on one occasion, when he carried messages across the open under heavy fire.’

William Clegg was born in Manchester and enlisted into the Lancashire Fusiliers at Bury on 3 October 1908. He served with the 2nd Battalion in France from 22 August 1914. In his medical records he states that he was gassed on May 2nd and May 24th in 1915, but was not taken to hospital. He was severely wounded on the Somme on 1 July 1916, with gun shot wounds in the right arm and right buttock, and subsequently evacuated to hospital in England on 4 July. He was transferred to the 2nd (Garrison) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, on 7 November 1916, and was discharged ‘no longer physically fit’ on 27 November 1917.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.