A Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment

A very good Great War ‘Western front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant S. Sturgess, 1/6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (250200 Sjt., 1/6 Manch. R.); 1914-15 Star (1707 Pte., Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1707 Sjt., Manch. R.); together with original photograph of recipient wearing medal ribbons; and a handwritten congratulatory letter from his C.O., dated 5 June 1919, contact wear, edge bruising and polished, otherwise generally nearly very fine (4) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1920 ‘By his gallantry, great devotion to duty and cheerfulness, he was largely responsible on 19th, 20th and 21st October 1918, near Marou for ensuring that signal communication was maintained between Battalion Headquarters and companies under very trying conditions. In spite of very heavy fire he organised his cable parties so successfully that he ensured telephone communication with companies the moment they reached their objectives.’

The following is extracted from the congratulatory letter written by his C.O., which is included with the lot: ‘... Your work with the signal section was always of the best and you rendered very valuable work to the Battalion. I especially recommended you for your work around Beaumont Hamel and Miraumant. The line which you ran out for me to the high ground above Miraumont was responsible for the success of the operations on that day. Again at Marou the work carried out by the Signallers under your direction and the taking forward of lines under a fierce machine gun fire was magnificent...’