Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Battle of Cambrai’ D.C.M. and November 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Company Sergeant-Major J. Rogers, Essex Regiment, who was reputedly the youngest Sergeant-Major in the British Army

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (15353 Cpl.-A. Sjt: J. Rogers. 13/Essex. R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (15353 C.S. Mjr. J. Rogers. D.C.M. 9/Essex R.); 1914-15 Star (15353 Pte. J. Rogers. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (15353 W.O. Cl. II. J. Rogers. Essex R.); Defence Medal, mounted as worn, nearly very fine (6) £2,000-£2,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 May 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As N.C.O. in charge of a platoon, he was sent up to reinforce another company which, with its ammunition expended, was being surrounded by the enemy. Having organised two sections of men, he held one flank with these under very intense machine-gun fire. Though nearly all his men had become casualties, he again collected together a few remaining men and continued to prevent the enemy from gaining the position, which would have enabled them to cut off the company. By his courage and control, under very heavy fire, he rendered great assistance in saving a large number of men.’
Annotated gazette states, ‘Moeuvres, 30 November 1917.’

M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919.
Awarded ‘for the gallant services you rendered to the State in November, 1918.’ (Letter of congratulations from Lieutenant-General Aylmer Hunter-Weston, Commanding VIII Corps, refers).

James Rogers was born in Colchester and served with the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment, in France from 25 July 1915. He won his D.C.M. with the 13th Battalion in the fighting at Moeuvres on 30 November 1917, during the battle of Cambrai, and subsequently won the M.M. for services with the 9th Battalion in November 1918. He married Agnes on Armistice Day 1920, at Fordham Church, and they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in November 1980, on which occasion the Colchester Evening Gazette published a photograph of him wearing his medals with his wife, reporting that, ‘As the youngest Sgt-Major in the British Army Mr Rogers served with the Essex Regiment during the First World War, after which he became a conductor on the buses in Colchester. After 24 years he became a chauffeur for doctors in Lexden and Colchester. During the Second World War he was in the Home Guard, while Mrs Rogers served tea to the warrant officers.’ He died at Colchester on 24 March 1981 at the age of 85.

Sold with copied research including Medal Index Card, gazette notices, War Diary extracts, and several copied news cuttings announcing award of his medals.