Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Western Front ‘Battle of Richebourg, May 1915’ and ‘Battle of Givenchy, September 1915’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant F. Merry, 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9140 L. Cpl. F. Merry. 2/O. & B.L.I.); 1914-15 Star (9140 Pte. F. Merry. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9140 Sjt. F. Merry. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) mounted on card for display, contact marks, very fine (4) £800-£1,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916:
‘For conspicuous devotion to duty. Although very ill, he refused to go sick, and carried on all his duties, including the voluntary collection of the wounded between the lines, till he became light-headed. He also did very good work on another occasion.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘Richebourg 15 & 16 May 1915; Givenchy 25 & 26 September 1915’.

Fred Merry was born on 26 September 1884, and served 7 years with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry before being transferred to the Reserve. Recalled on the outbreak of war, he re-enlisted on 2 September 1914, at Nuneaton, Warwickshire. He landed in France on 26 January 1915, joining the 2nd Battalion O. & B.L.I., then already on the western front as part of 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. Appointed Lance-Corporal in August 1915, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the battles of Festubert in May 1915, and Loos in September 1915. In October 1915 Merry contracted bronchitis and was invalided to England. In May 1916 he departed from Devonport to join the newly reconstituted 1st Battalion in Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on 24 June 1916. He was appointed Corporal in August 1916, and promoted to Sergeant on 3 February 1917, following short periods as Lance-Sergeant and Acting Sergeant. He embarked again at Basra on 22 February 1919, bound for England and subsequent demobilisation on 25 April 1919. Fred Merry was afterwards publican of The Punch Bowl public house at Nuneaton and died at Fleetwood, Lancashire, on 23 May 1981.

Sold with original Post Card portrait photograph and Certificate of Transfer to Reserve, together with comprehensive copied research including War Diary extracts.