Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding Great War ‘Zonnebeke 1917’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private H. G. Chamberlain, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who personally accounted for six enemy snipers ‘stalking them when they declared themselves’ and subsequently died of severe wounds in April 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20655 Pte. H. G. Chamberlain. 2/Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (20655 Pte. H. G. Chamberlain. Suff. R.) together with Memorial Plaque (Henry George Chamberlain) nearly extremely fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 November 1917; citation London Gazette 6 February 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During operations, an enemy aeroplane flew over our lines and fired a white light, which was answered by a hostile sniper near by. Entirely on his own initiative he went in search of the sniper, found three in a shell-hole, killed them all, and returned with Very lights and a trench lamp. He afterwards accounted for three more snipers, lying out for hours in No Man’s Land and stalking them when they declared themselves.’
Annotated gazette states ‘Zonnebeke 20 [or 26] September 1917’, while contemporary news reports give a slightly longer citation, adding ‘He also entered a German pill-box and killed twelve more Germans single-handed.’

Henry George Chamberlain was born at Pirton, Hertfordshire, was resident at Hitchin and enlisted there into the Suffolk Regiment. He served with the 12th, 11th, 9th and, finally, 2nd Battalions in France and Flanders, part of the 76th Brigade in the 3rd Division. He died of severe wounds received in action on 20 April 1918, aged 39. His next of kin is noted as being an aunt, Elizabeth Gazely, of Pirton, Hitchin. Private Chamberlain is buried in Pernes British Cemetery, France.

Sold with copied research including two extracts from The North Herts Mail, and war diary extracts.