Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Third Battle of Ypres’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Company Sergeant Major B. Treagus, 14th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, later Second Lieutenant, Manchester Regiment, for his gallantry during the Battle of Picklem Ridge on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, 31 July 1917 - for his gallantry during this attack Second Lieutenant W. Hewitt, of the same Battalion, was awarded the Victoria Cross

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3-4029 C. S. Mjr: B. Treagus. 14/Hants: R.); 1914-15 Star (3-4029 Cpl. B. Treagus. Hamps: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. B. Treagus.) mounted court-style, good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1917; citation published 26 January 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When an enemy machine gun opened enfilade fire on the advancing troops he immediately organised a party, assaulted and captured the gun. He rendered valuable service during the consolidation, and his cheerfulness, coolness and contempt of danger under the most trying conditions were an example to all.’
Original citation additionally annotated ‘Ypres 31st July 1917.’

Basil Treagus, a native of Buriton, Petersfield, Hampshire, attested for the Hampshire Regiment and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 April 1915. Subsequently transferring to the 14th Battalion (who did not land in France until 6 March 1916), the Regimental Journal of August 1916 notes that he had been wounded, but does not give any further details as to location or date.

Advanced Company Sergeant Major, Treagus was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on the opening day of Third Battle of Ypres on 31 July 1917. Following on from the successful attack at Messines in early June, the second phase of Haig’s plan to break through at Flanders and capture the Belgian coast was what became known as the Battle of Passchendaele or Third Ypres. Hampered by the long delay after the Messines attack, which allowed the Germans to prepare, the destruction of the drainage system in low lying Flanders by the preliminary artillery bombardment and the unusually wet summer, the battle degenerated into one of attrition, which dragged on from 31 July until the final capture of Passchendaele village in early November.

On 31 July the 14th Hampshires were attacking over land that had already been heavily fought over during the second Battle of Ypres, from north west of Wieltje towards St. Julien, 3,000 yards away. Very few buildings remained, although the cellars and walls that did, had been turned in to strong points by the Germans. The battalion was in the second line, behind the 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, with the 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment on its right and the 17th Battalion Sherwood Foresters on the left.

The attack commenced at 3:50 a.m. on 31 July 1917, with the 11th Sussexes taking the first objective, the blue line, before the 14th Hampshires then “leap frogged” them and advanced to the next objective, the black line. The main difficulty in the capture of the black line were the irregularly placed German pill boxes, which had to be dealt with individually and caused many casualties. Eventually though the black line was reached and the battalion pushed on took the green line, despite difficulties encountered at a strongly held position called ‘Alberta’. The 14th Hampshires held their position and helped beat off powerful German counter attacks in the afternoon. By the end of the day they had sustained some 220 casualties in killed, wounded and missing and another 54 over the next few days in maintaining their position before being relieved. For his great gallantry during the fighting Second Lieutenant W. Hewitt was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

The Battalion War Diary also records how the Battalion ‘captured 2 field guns and one 4.5 howitzer; 17 machine guns; and over 200 prisoners.’ The War Diary further reports casualties as 3 officers and 18 other ranks killed; 4 officers and 156 other ranks wounded; and 42 other ranks missing, giving a total of 223 casualties.

Treagus was subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment on 25 June 1918 and was promoted temporary Lieutenant in March 1920. He relinquished his commission on 25 March 1921.

Sold with copied research.