Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding Great War stretcher-bearer’s ‘Delville Wood, July 1916’ D.C.M. and ‘Calonne, May 1916 / Carency, June 1916’ M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal N. W. Bellinger, 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (17391 Cpl. M. W. Bellinger. 13/Essex R.) note incorrect first initial (as per gazette and D.C.M. Card); Military Medal, G.V.R. (17391 Pte. N. W. Bellinger. 13/Essex: R.); 1914-15 Star (17391 Pte. N. W. Bellinger. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (17391 Cpl. N. W. Bellinger. Essex R.) note ‘Pellinger’ on B.W.M., mounted court-style for display, light contact marks, otherwise very fine (5) £2,400-£2,800

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 November 1916:
‘For conspicuous bravery and devotion in action in charge of stretcher-bearers. For several days he worked, without rest and under heavy fire, tending and bringing in wounded, and his energy, fearlessness, and efficiency undoubtedly saved many of the wounded, who otherwise could not have been brought in. On previous occasions he had been recommended for reward.’
Official War Office copy of the citation states: ‘(Delville Wood 29th-31st July 1916).’

M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916.
The Official War Office copy of the citation states: ‘As a stretcher bearer this man has always carried out his duties in a brave and efficient manner, in many instances under hostile fire, particularly on 15th May 1916, at Calonne, when though not recovered from a wound previously received, he dressed the wounds of Lance-Corporal Dutton and assisted to carry him down when under shell fire, and also at Carency, Northern Sub-Section, on the night 1/2nd June, when he assisted to bring down several wounded men during the consolidation of the three mines blown in that night. Similar actions have been performed by him on other occasions.’

Norman William Bellinger was living at Barking, Essex, when he enlisted for the Essex Regiment at East Ham on 16 January 1915. Posted as private to the 13th Battalion he served in France from 17 November 1915. He was wounded by gunshot in the knee, chest and left finger on 27 April 1916, these wounds being referred to in the citation for his M.M. Promoted to corporal on 4 July 1916, he was discharged on 11 February 1919.

Sold with original War Office copies of both citations and letters of congratulation for each award from West Ham Town Hall, dated 24 October 1916, these all stabilised on cartridge paper, together with copied research including service papers and Battalion War Diary extracts.