The Kenneth Petrie Collection

A Great War 1915 ‘Attack on Spanbroekmolen’ D.C.M. pair awarded to Private W. Suffolk, 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9688 Pte W. Suffolk. 3/Worc: Regt); British War Medal 1914-20 (9688 Pte. W. Suffolk. Worc. R.) edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine (2) £500-£700

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

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D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915:
‘For conspicuous gallantry at Spanbroek Molen [sic] on 12 March, 1915, in rescuing three wounded men under heavy fire from within 30 yards of the enemy’s trenches. Private Suffolk also displayed great gallantry in rallying and collecting men during the attack under very heavy fire, at a critical time.’

William Suffolk served during the Great War with the 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 18 December 1914. He distinguished himself at Spanbroekmolen, 12 March 1915, where the Battalion served as part of the ‘7th Brigade, 3rd Division... Captain H. FitzM. Stacke, MC records in his history of the Worcestershire Regiment that the leading companies went forward under a hail of bullets and over ground knee-deep in mud at 4.10pm - ‘officers and men went down at every step.’ Small parties entered the enemy’s line and held until forced to retire at dusk. Withdrew to Locre. Officers killed or mortally wounded - Captain G. E. Hewett; Lieutenant C. G. B. Loos; Second Lieutenants C. F. Moore, W. H. Clarke, F. B. Burr, T. Freeman, E. M. Mansel-Pleydell, M. T. Murphy and W. B. Barling. Total casualties - 169 killed, wounded or missing.’ (British Battalions on the Western Front January to June 1915, by R. Westlake refers).