Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Third Battle of Ypres’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private A. Broadwell, Durham Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 29 May 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (53745 Pte. A. Broadwell. 15/Durh: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (53745 Pte. A. Broadwell. Durh. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (Albert Broadwell) in card envelope, nearly extremely fine (4) £800-£1,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 28 March 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When an officer had gone out to bring in a man who was lying out in a shell-hole unable to move, and was wounded in so doing, he at once went out and brought the officer in, though snipers were very active at the time. The manner in which he attempted and succeeded in this rescue was most gallant.’

Albert Broadwell was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, in 1894, and prior to attesting resided with his wife at 27 Cotewall Road, Bowling, Bradford. He attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers on 8 December 1915, having previously served in the 3rd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment; transferring to the 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry the following year, he served during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 December 1916, being posted to the 14th Battalion on 7 January 1917. He was invalided to the U.K. suffering from Trench foot on 14 March 1917, but recovering returned to the Western Front on 7 August of that year, and was posted to the 15th Battalion. The following month he was sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 for ‘Drunkenness’.

Broadwell was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during the Third Battle of Ypres. The Durham Forces in the Field 1914-18, by Captain W. Miles, gives further details:
‘On 4 November three companies returned to Zillebeke Bund and B Company remained in reserve to the relieving battalion. On 6 November the 15th Battalion withdrew to Scottish Wood. The last tour in the line had cost over 60 casualties, including one officer hit in an attempt to rescue a wounded man lying in a shell-hole. Private A. Broadwell, of Bradford, who went out at once and brought in the officer under the fire of several German snipers, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.’

Broadwell was killed in action on 29 May 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial.

Sold with copied research.