Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War D.C.M., M.M. and Bar group of four awarded to Sergeant W. A. Nowers, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was thrice decorated for his gallantry as a stretcher bearer on the Western Front in 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (495412 Sjt. W. A. Nowers, M.M., R.A.M.C.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (495412 Sjt. W. A. Nowers, 2/2 H.C.F.A., R.A.M.C. - T.F.); British War and Victory Medals (8055 Sjt., R.A.M.C.), generally very fine (4) £2000-2500

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919. The joint citation with Acting Sergeant L. G. Croft, M.M., also of the 2/2 (H.C.) Field Ambulance, states:

‘While acting as Stretcher Sergeants near Maricourt from 24 August to 3 September 1918, these N.C.Os displayed great energy and courage, carrying on their work without any relief. They went forward on 24 August to “Happy Valley” and cleared many wounded under intense shell fire, several men being hit at the time. Again, under heavy shell fire, they carried in three seriously wounded men, who could not be got at for 24 hours on account of the shelling. They both set a magnificent example throughout.’

M.M. London Gazette 4 February 1918.

Bar to M.M. London Gazette 19 March 1918.

William Arthur Nowers, who was born in Canterbury in August 1893 and died at Redhill in March 1928, was only entitled to the British War & Victory Medals, not having entered the French theatre of war until 1916 (MIC entry refers); sold with a history of his unit, The “Second Seconds” in France: The Story of the 2/2nd City of London Field Ambulance (Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & Co., London, 1920).