The Kenneth Petrie Collection

A fine Great War 1918 ‘V.C. action’ D.C.M., 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to stretcher-bearer Lance Corporal B. Linsley, 5th Battalion, West Riding Regiment, for his gallantry at Marcoing, 28-29 September 1918, when Private H. Tandy of the same Battalion was also recognised with the award of the Victoria Cross

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (25262 Pte - A. L. Cpl - B. Linsley. M.M. 5/W. Rid. R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (25262 Pte B. Linsley. 5/W. Rid: R.); British War and Victory Medals (45580 Pte. B. Linsley.York. R.) generally very fine or better (4) £2,000-£2,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kenneth Petrie Collection.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1919, citation published London Gazette 10 January 1920:
‘For conspicuous gallantry during the fighting on September 28 and 29, 1918 near Marcoing. He went out many times as stretcher-bearer under heavy fire until all wounded had been brought back, and then, in spite of very heavy machine-gun fire on the damaged bridges, carried wounded across under great difficulty.’

The original recommendation, dated 3 November 1918, states: ‘For great bravery and absolute disregard of self during the fighting on September 28th and 29th 1918. When acting as stretcher-bearer on the East side of the .... Canal, near ..... he many times went out under heavy aimed fire, until all wounded had been brought back to the Canal Bank, and then in spite of the heaviest machine gun and shell fire on the broken bridges, carried wounded across in circumstances of great difficulty and danger. But for his organisation and absolute fearless work it would have been impossible to save many of our wounded, and the fact that in spite of all difficulties this was done, greatly inspired all ranks.’

M.M. London Gazette 11 December 1918.
The original recommendation, dated 5 September 1918, states: ‘For very gallant conduct on July 20th 1918 as company stretcher-bearer. After two of the company stretcher-bearers had been killed this soldier worked without ceasing, going out time after time under heavy enemy barrage to succour the wounded. Again on July 22nd in an attack this stretcher-bearer (now the only one left in his company) did magnificent work in fetching in the wounded under very heavy fire.’

Bertie Linsley was born in Spennymoor, County Durham in December 1887. He enlisted in the Yorkshire Regiment in December 1915, and later transferred to the 5th Battalion, West Riding Regiment with whom he served on the Western Front.

Linsley distinguished himself at Marcoing, 28-29 September 1918, for which action Private Henry Tandy also of the 5th Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross. The Battalion served as part of the 186th Brigade, 62nd Division during the offensive against the Hindenburg Line, and by the morning of the 28th the 62nd Division was east of Flesquières and almost across the strip of land between the Canal du Nord and the St Quentin Canal. 186th Brigade was detailed to capture Marcoing which was on the west bank of this second Canal and help establish a bridgehead on its eastern bank.

Tandy’s Victoria Cross citation, listed below, is worth reading in conjunction with Linsley’s D.C.M.:
‘For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the capture of the village and the crossings at Marcoing, and the subsequent counter-attack on September 28th, 1918. When, during the advance on Marcoing, his platoon was held up by machine-gun fire, he at once crawled forward, located the machine gun, and, with a Lewis gun team, knocked it out. On arrival at the crossings he restored the plank bridge under a hail of bullets, thus enabling the first crossing to be made at this vital spot. Later in the evening, during an attack, he, with eight comrades, was surrounded by an overwhelming number of Germans, and though the position was apparently hopeless, he led a bayonet charge through them, fighting so fiercely that 37 of the enemy were driven into the hands of the remainder of his company. Although twice wounded, he refused to leave till the fight was won.’

Linsley’s D.C.M. was 1 of 3 awarded to the Battalion for Macoing. He transferred to the Army Reserve in March 1919, and eventually took over his father’s Pawnshop business - Eaton and Co. Linsley died at the Guisborough General Hospital in January 1975.

Sold with the following original related documentation: Typed citations for both awards, signed by Captain and Adjutant K. Syles, 5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment; Certificate of Transfer to Reserve on Demobilization and other ephemera.