Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A magnificent Great War ‘Foret de Mormal’ November 1918 D.C.M., and ‘Battles of the Somme’ M.M. and Second Award Bar group of five awarded to Sergeant W. Green, Royal Fusiliers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8021 Sjt. W. Green. M.M. 13/R. Fus.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (8021 Pte. W. Green. 11/R. Fus:); 1914-15 Star (8021 Pte. W. Green. R. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (GS-8021 Sjt. W. Green. R. Fus,.) mounted for display, the first two with light edge bruising, otherwise good very fine (5) £3,000-£4,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 February 1919; citation published 10 January 1920:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and initiative in the Foret de Mormal on 4th November, 1918. He led his platoon in the attack through the wood, driving out several enemy parties, and established himself on the final objective about two hours after darkness had fallen. He held on to this line until morning, when other troops were able to come up on his flanks.’

M.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916.

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 21 December 1916.

William Green was a native of Bury, Lancashire, and served in France with the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, from 26 July 1915. The 11th (Service) Battalion was formed at Hounslow in September 1914 and in France was attached to 54th Brigade in the 18th (Eastern) Division.The battalion was engaged in the following actions on the Somme: Albert, 1-13 July 1916, including the capture of Montauban, Mametz, Fricourt, Contalmaison and La Boiselle; Battle of Bazentin, 14-17 July 1916, including capture of Longueval, Trones Wood, and Ovillers; Battle of Delville Wood, 15 July to 3 September 1916; Battles of Thiepval 26-28 September 1916, Ancre Heights 1-11 October 1916, including capture of Schwaben Redoubt, Stuff Redoubt and Regina Trench; Battle of the Ancre 13-18 November 1916, including capture of Beaumont Hamel.

Green served with the 11th Battalion until 24 February 1917, and afterwards, briefly with the 1st Battalion, 8-25 June 1917, then withb the 20th Battalion until 29 January 1918, when he joined the 13th Battalion for the remainder of the war. His D.C.M.-winning exploits were reported in the Bury Times of 1 February 1919, adding some further detail to the published citation:

‘Another honour has been conferred upon Sergt. William Green, M.M., of the 13th Royal Fusiliers, son of Mr William Green of Devon-street, Bury, he having been awarded the D.C.M. for gallant conduct just prior to the Armistice. In their last attack, which he says was the biggest that ever took place, they advanced twelve miles in one day. His battalion was the last to go in, and they had to go through a big forest called the Forest de Mormal. Very early in the morning his Officer was gassed and Sergt. Green carried on until they got held up by German machine guns. He worked on with his platoon but before they reached their objective it was dark. After fighting on he found the Germans had got around him but he held on.During the night the Germans fell back and he got the battalion to their objective. Sergt. Green enlisted when 19 years of age, in the month following the outbreak of war. At the end of 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal, and at the end of 1917 (sic) he he was awarded the clasp in further recognition of bravery. Prior to enlisting he was employed at Messrs. Livesey’s works, Hollins, and he was formerly in St Chad’s School Boys’ Brigade.’

Sold with copied gazette notices, D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards, and War Diary extracts from 1916 and 1918, the latter specifically mentioning Sergeant Green in the Foret de Mormal action.