Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1915 ‘Battle of Neuve Chapelle’ D.C.M., Russian Cross of St. George group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal S. Jollans, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was killed in action near Ypres on 9 May 1915

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8538 L. Cpl. S. Jollans. 2/Linc: Regt.); British War Medal 1914-20 (8538 Pte. S. Jollans. Linc. R.); Russia, Empire, Cross of St. George, Fourth Class, silver, reverse officially numbered ‘127208’, extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400

Hayward’s Gazette, February 1979.

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915:
‘For conspicuous gallantry when in charge of a bombing party, on which occasion a hostile trench 100 yards long was captured from the enemy.’

Russian Cross of St. George London Gazette 25 August 1915.

Sydney Jollans, a native of Kirton Lindsey, Lincolnshire, was born in Hogsthorpe, also in Lincolnshire, and attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment at Lincoln. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 November 1914, and was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry at Neuve Chapelle on 10 March 1915.

Jollans was killed in action near Ypres on 9 May 1915. A letter written to his parents from the Officer in Charge of his platoon states: ‘There is not an officer, N.C.O., or man who knew him that does not mourn his loss. How proud he was of his D.C.M.! He was one of the coolest and bravest of men, always ready and willing to do his duty, and any job he undertook was done satisfactorily. We all went into action on the night of 9th May, and we all had a rough time. I am not allowed to go into any detail, but it was just after a very difficult task and we were on our way to report “all correct” whey Syd was shot just below the heart from the back. All that was possible was done for him, but he only lived ten minutes. His actions all through the fighting had been splendid, and I know he had been recommended for further distinction for his valour. He died in an enemy’s trench, and of the bravest of men. All his comrades send their deepest sympathy.

A report in the Lincolnshire Star announcing the recipient’s death also states: ‘Corporal Jollans had again been recommended for valour, he having previously won the D.C.M.’ One can perhaps speculate that, had he lived, he may well have received a second award Bar to his D.C.M., rather than the Russian Cross of St. George. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

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