Luton Munitions Workers Awarded OBEs

MBE medal, 1918 [Wikipedia]

Sunday 27th October 1918: A ceremony has been held this afternoon at Luton Town Hall, at which Order of the British Empire medals were presented to three employees of George Kent Limited by the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mr. Samuel Whitbread. All three were awarded for the great courage shown by the recipients during an accident which took place at the works in March. The O.B.E. Is a new award, established last year at the instigation of the King to honour all those men and women who have provided conspicuous service to the Empire as civilians or in military supporting roles. The recipients of the medals are:

• Samuel Beddall of Harris Villa, Chiltern Road, Dunstable, who at grave personal risk twice entered a burning room and rescued three workers, in spite of dense fumes and personal injuries.
• Herbert Thomas Honnor of Naseby Road, Luton,for courage and high example in rescuing two fellow workers on the occasion of a fire in a factory.
• Alexander McKay Pattison of Dordans Road, Leagrave, also for courage and high example at a factory fire. Though suffering from burns he rendered important assistance to several women who were in great danger.

Source: Luton News, 31st October 1918

Medal Presentation Ceremony Held in Bedford

Entrance to Russell Park, Bedford c.1905 [Z1130/9/9/31]

Thursday 3rd October 1918: This morning a medal presentation ceremony has taken place in Russell Park, Bedford. A large number of troops marched through the town shortly before 11 o’clock, headed by two bands of the Royal Engineers. The medals were presented by the General Officer Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Command, Lieutenant-General Sir C. L. Woollcombe. The General was slightly late arriving as his car broke down between Bedford and Luton. The Mayor and Mayoress of Bedford and their daughters were also present.

The medals awarded included two  Distinguished  Conduct Medals. One was awarded to Corporal H. L. Bavington of the Hertfordshire Regiment but presented to his mother, as her son had since died of his wounds. The citation read: “For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led a bombing party with great gallantry, and rendered valuable assistance in the consolidation of the position. He has at all times set a splendid example.” The second was presented to Sapper W. J. M. Baldy of the Royal Engineers “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He kept up communication all day while under fire from several directions, and in spite of casualties among the signallers. He did consistent good work during a long period.”

Other medals awarded at the ceremony included the Belgian Croix de Guerre to Sapper J. McKeown of the Biggleswade Depot; and the Military Medal and Bar to Sappers J. Layton, A. Lough and A. H. Cornwall. Twenty one men received the Military Medal and one the Good Conduct Medal. One of the recipients was Sergeant George Gazeley of Westoning,  one of the “Old Contemptibles” who first joined the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1904 and served in India. As a reservist he was called up at the beginning of the war, and by October 1915 had already been wounded three times. He is now permanently disabled after being badly hit in the leg last year. Two other Bedfordshire Regiment men, Sergeant Bertie Pettingell of Hitchin and Private George Henry Musgove of Kempston have also been serving since October 1914; Sergeant Pettingell enlisted when he was only 17 years old.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 4th October 1918

Leighton Buzzard Soldier Receives Military Cross

British troops at Aveluy Wood, November 1916

[Imperial War Museum Q1564 reproduced under IWM Non Commercial Licence]

Thursday 12th September 1918: Leighton Buzzard officer Second Lieutenant Henry Guess of the Royal West Kent Regiment attended Buckingham Palace yesterday and was presented with the Military Cross by the King. This was awarded to him for his courage and leadership at Aveluy Wood last March. The commendation reads:

“He displayed great courage in controlling his men during a determined hostile attack, and later, when the enemy penetrated the line, he organised his platoon to cover the portion that was broken and then, counter-attacking, regained all lost ground. His services were of the utmost value to his company commander.”

Lieutenant Guess joined the Army in 1914 and has spent much time on active service. He was mentioned in despatches during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and was promoted from the ranks in 1917. In June he was seriously wounded by shrapnel during fighting around Albert, being hit in the neck, left shoulder and left leg. The leg wound was particularly severe and he is still on sick leave.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 17th September 1918

Woman Ambulance Driver Receives Military Medal

Miss Hilda May Dickinson and Great Dane [Luton News, 1st August 1918]

Friday 26th July 1918: News has reached Leighton Buzzard that Miss Hilda May Dickinson, whose widowed mother Adeline lives at Heath Cottage in Heath Road, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery. Miss Dickinson went out to Belgium as a nurse at the beginning of the war, where she helped the wounded during the fighting at Antwerp and was decorated by the Belgians for her work there. She then spent six months nursing in a French hospital. After returning to England she worked at Woolwich for eleven months before joining the Military Transport in London. She was sent back to France on Christmas Eve last year and is now serving as an ambulance worker in the First Army Nursing Yeomanry. General Plummer’s notification states that the Military Medal was awarded:

“For conspicuous devotion to duty during the hostile air-raid, on the night of May 18th, 1918. This lady was out with her car during the raid, picking up and in every way assisting the wounded and injured, showing great bravery and coolness, and was an example to all ranks.”

Before the war Miss Dickinson was an enthusiastic breeder of Great Danes, and was a familiar sight in the town with her animals. One champion dog has accompanied her throughout her travels; she says it is a great protection to her when the enemy gets at close quarters. We reported in January 1916 on the adventures of Miss Dickinson’s sister Edith, who escaped from Serbia in a hazardous trek across the mountains following the fall of Belgrade, where she had been serving as a hospital chauffeur orderly.

Source: Luton News, 1st August 1918

Luton Town Footballer Killed in Action

Arthur Wileman

Tuesday 14th May 1918: The news was received today by Mr. S Arnold of 44 Kenilworth Road that Luton Town footballer Arthur Wileman has been killed in action. Mr. Wileman’s wife had lived at that address for some time both before and after her marriage; she is now at her home in Somerset. No further details have yet been received.

Arthur Wileman came from a footballing family at Newhall, South Derbyshire. He began his career with Newhall Swifts, before he and his brother joined Burton United, where they gained reputations as dangerous forwards. From there they moved to Chelsea, but were not successful there and after two seasons they moved on. Arthur spent a season with Millwall before joining Luton Town in 1912. Although on the small side he was a strong player with great shooting power. In 1913-14 he scored 33 goals for the club, becoming their second highest scorer. He was one of eight men from Luton Town who joined the Footballers’ Battalion in December 1914. Due to an injury to his knee he was not sent to France until 1916, when he transferred to the Royal Sussex Regiment. In February last year the Club Secretary received a letter from him from the Front, where he was serving with another Luton player, Arthur Roe. He was promoted to acting sergeant major, and just before Christmas was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry. He turned down the offer of a commission, preferring to remain in the ranks.

Source: Luton News, 16th May 1918

Luton Airman Receives Military Cross and Bar

Paul Ward Spencer Bulman

Sunday 14th April 1918: Rev. Thomas Bulman, the Vicar of St. Paul’s Luton, has received the following letter from the commanding officer of his son, Paul Ward Spencer Bulman:

“It is with the greatest possible pleasure I write to inform you that yesterday the great news came through that your son Paul has been awarded a bar to his Military Cross. He has more than earned it by splendid work, especially during the recent operations. My heartiest congratulations to you and yours.”

This means that within the last six months Captain Bulman has been mentioned in dispatches, awarded the Military Cross, promoted to Captain, and has now been awarded a bar to add to the Military Cross. Captain Bulman is serving in France with the Royal Air Force as Flight Commander of a squadron.

Source: Luton News, 11th April 1918

Luton Doctor Awarded Military Cross

Dr. Robert Daniels Bell [Luton News]

Monday 4th February 1918: Luton has been delighted to hear the news that well-known local doctor Robert Daniels Bell of Dunstable Road, who was last heard of a year ago while he was home on leave from Egypt  has been awarded the Military Cross. Captain Bell was serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps on Christmas Eve when the brigade to which he was attached was severely bombarded. He was kept hard at work attending to the wounded, while gas shells burst around him. He took off his gas mask to give better attention to a bleeding soldier, but was gassed before he could put it on again and himself became a casualty. He is now at home and progressing excellently. His brigade took the unusual course of recommending him for immediate honours.

Source: Luton News, 31st January 1918

Munitions Girls Receive Bravery Awards

Miss Lily Smith of Bedford

Saturday 8th September 1917: Two Bedfordshire girls working in munitions factories have been awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for devotion to duty. The Medal is given for services of special merit rendered to the Empire by both men and women in civilian war service.

Miss Lily Smith of 35 All Hallows Lane, Bedford worked at a powder factory in Bedfordshire before responding to an invitation for volunteers to work in a filling factory near London. After working there for about a fortnight a bomb exploded, fracturing her left hand so severely that it had to be amputated. Showing the utmost bravery, she insisted on walking part of the way to the hospital. When she recovered she returned to duty, saying that all must do their bit to enable our brave troops to win the war. Her courage so impressed her colleagues and managers at the factory that they presented her with a gold wrist watch. She was also given a gold pin on which a piece of the bomb extracted from her hand had been mounted.

Miss Violet Golding of 11 Cross Street, Dunstable, lost a finger and thumb through an accident while making detonators on 27th June 1916. At the time of the accident she was just sixteen years old. She returned to work after treatment at the Bute Hospital in Luton. Both girls will receive their medals at Buckingham Palace

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 31st August 1917 and 7th September 1917

Private Christopher Cox VC Visits Kempston Barracks

Kempston Barracks, c.1915 [Z1130/67/31]

Saturday 18th August 1917: Private Christopher Augustus Cox of the 7th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment has spent this week at the regimental depot at Kempston after returning from home leave at Kings Langley (Herts). Two weeks ago he was invested with the Victoria Cross by the King, as a reward for his courageous actions at Achiet-le-Grand in March; these were described by our war correspondent https://bedsatwar.blogspot.com/2017/03/great-bravery-and-successful-attack.html at the time. At breakfast in the central mess room Private Cox was introduced to all the men in the depot and was given an enthusiastic ovation. A tall and well-built man, wearing the VC ribbon and three gold wound stripes, he looked the picture of health. He told his colleagues that he was recommended for the Victoria Cross for bringing in a party of men under heavy fire on the battle field, but was too modest to go into detail. He reported that when the King pinned the Cross on his tunic His Majesty extended his hand to him in a friendly manner and said “Cox, you are a brave man and I am glad to shake hands with you. I hope you will have a long and happy life” [1].

 

Christopher Augustus Cox [Wikimedia]

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 17th August 1917

[1] Christopher Augustus Cox died in 1959 at the age of 69. He was wounded in the foot in May 1917 and was not fit enough to return to the Front; he spent the remainder of the war training recruits. 

Leighton Buzzard Officer Decorated for Gallantry

Almshouse residents photographed at Heathwood by Mr. Robert Richmond [P91/25/36b]

Tuesday 26th June 1917: Mr. Robert Richmond of Heathwood, Leighton Buzzard has already suffered the two of his three sons, one at the Somme last year and the second earlier this year. LINK http://bedshomefront.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/leighton-buzzard-officer-killed.html He has now received much better news of his only surviving son, Acting Captain George William Richmond of the Royal Engineers Special Reserve. Captain Richmond has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order with the following citation:

“For conspicuous gallantry and determination while forcing a passage of the river. His coolness and resource were mainly responsible for the successful launching of the pontoons which effected the crossing, and his attitude was an inspiring example to all under his command. He has previously done fine work.”

Captain Richmond carried out his heroic action during the successful British assault on the city of Baghdad in March. The work was carried out under heavy fire, and the whole attack would probably have been held up without Captain Richmond’s successful feat. The Distinguished Service Order is one of the highest decorations which can be given to a soldier, exceeded in rank only by the Victoria Cross. It is only available to officers – the nearest equivalent for other ranks is the Distinguished Conduct Medal – and it is rarely awarded.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 26th June 1917

Luton War Hero Wounded

Lieutenant Arthur Andrews

Sunday 15th April 1917: The wife of Luton war hero Second Lieutenant Arthur Andrews, who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and bar in 1915 http://bedshomefront.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/luton-soldier-wins-dcm-and-bar.html has been notified that her husband has been seriously wounded. He is now in hospital in Manchester, where an operation has been performed to remove shrapnel from both his legs. In a postcard to his wife he told her not to worry and that he was as comfortable as possible. She also received the a letter from her husband’s fellow officer, Second Lieutenant George White, telling her of the circumstances: “I have heard from his servant that in bombing a dug-out one of the men accidentally dropped a bomb at Mr. Andrews’ feet. I have been told that his wounds are not serious, he getting one or two splinters from the bomb which compelled him to go to hospital”. 

A soldier with fourteen years in the Army, Lt. Andrews was given a commission in February of this year. His decorations were for showing conspicuous gallantry and ability in keeping telephone communication intact, often superintending the repair of wires under heavy fire. When home on leave his extreme modesty prevented him ever mentioning the deeds for which he was honoured. Lt. Andrews and his wife have four young children, and it is hoped that he will make a quick recovery.[1]

Source: Luton News 19th April 1917

[1] In fact the injuries were worse than initially indicated and one leg had to be amputated, ending Lt. Andrews’ military career [Luton Times 27 September 1917]

Russian Medal for a Luton Soldier

Star of Order of St. Anne [Wikimedia]

Friday 9th March 1917: Bombadier Frederick Barrett of 22 Jubilee Street, Luton, is enjoying a rest after returning home from Russia where he was awarded the Order of St. Anne for services rendered to the Russian Government. Before the war he worked for manufacturer Roland Brown in High Town Road, and was well known locally as a cricketer and footballer. He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery on the 14th August 1914 and was drafted to France in March 1915, fighting at Neuve Chapelle, Hooge and Loos. He was wounded in the arm during the Battle of the Somme, resulting in four months in a Bristol hospital. He returned to France but was recalled to England three months later before being sent to Russia.

Source: Luton News, 8th March 1917

Death of a Linslade Hero

William Harper Brantom (Find-A-Grave)

Thursday 13th July 1916: A year ago we heard that William Harper Brantom of Ivy Dene, Stoke Road, Linslade, had won the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Now news has been received that he is one of the early casualties of the terrible battle that has broken out in the area of the Somme. Brantom, was a popular local figure.  He was an old boy of Dunstable Grammar School and a keen sportsman, playing for both Leighton Town Cricket Club and Linslade Football Club. He joined the Civil Service Rifles immediately war broke out and won his DCM for gallantry in a bombing raid at the Battle of Festubert, during which he was wounded in the shoulder. He was offered a commission on a number of occasions, but refused as he did not want to leave his comrades. When he was given the unusual honour of being offered a commission in his own battalion he accepted, and at the time of his death he was a Second Lieutenant.

 Lt. Brantom had been home on leave at the end of June, when he was in excellent health and spirits. He had only been back in France for four days when he was killed. His father has received the following letter from his commanding officer:

“As Colonel of the battalion and on behalf of all my officers, I wish to offer you and your family our deep sympathy. On the night of July 3rd-4th, there was heavy artillery fire on our trenches and your son was struck by a piece of shell, which penetrated his steel helmet and killed him instantaneously. Last year at Festubert he and three others gained the DCM. These were the first honours that the battalion had gained, and we were proud of them. When he rejoined the battalion as an officer in January last, we were all glad to have him back. His loss to us is great, for he was a most capable and trustworthy officer. He was buried yester afternoon by one of the Chaplains of our Brigade, in one of the recognised Cemeteries here.”

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 18th July 1916

Great Barford Man Wins DCM

Great Barford c.1920

Thursday 11th May 1916: Private Albert Symonds [or Simons] of the 8th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Although born in London, in recent years Private Symonds has made his home at Great Barford. Major General C. Ross, commander of the 6th Division, writes:

“Your Commanding Officers and Brigade Commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself on 19th April, 1916, near Ypres, by cool conduct and fine example under a heavy bombardment, and though the only man left unwounded, continuing to work your Lewis gun and inflicting heavy loss on the enemy when they attacked. I have read this with much pleasure.”[1]

Source: Bolnhurst, Colmworth, Roxton with Great Barford, Ravensden and Wilden Parish Magazine, July 1916 [P28/30/23]

---

[1] The battalion war diary tells us that on the night of 19th/20th April after two hours of heavy bombardment the Germans attacked and gained a footing in some of the trenches held by the battalion. The Bedfords suffered heavy casualties.

Our war correspondent has described the night’s events in more detail … [LINK]

Riseley Man Awarded DCM

Private Sam Barker 

Wednesday 3rd November 1915: The village of Riseley is very proud to hear that Private Sam Barker of the 4th Battalion of the Grenadier Guards has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his conspicuous bravery in the field. Private Barker only arrived in France in August and was taking part in his first military engagement at Hill 70 at the end of September when he picked up a wounded officer in the area where the fighting was at its fiercest and carried him to safety. Writing to his mother Private Barker said: “I thought Riseley people would be amazed to hear of that medal affair. I have not got it yet; it may be a month or so, or even longer”.

Riseley’s response to recruiting efforts has been admirable, with between 30 and 40 men joining the Forces. Private Barker was saddened to hear that another Riseley boy, Harry Porter, had been wounded in the face. He writes “Every time I got a chance I hunted high and low for him; but it’s no use now if he is in hospital”.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 5th November 1915

Luton Soldier Wins DCM and Bar

Sergeant Arthur Andrews [Luton Times]

Sunday 18th July 1915: Company Quarter-Master Sergeant Arthur Andrews of the 2nd Highland Light Infantry has become only the second man in the Army to add a clasp to the Distinguished Conduct Medal he received. This is equivalent to winning the same decoration for the second time. His first medal was given in recognition of his conspicuous gallantry and ability in keeping telephonic communications intact, often superintending the repair of wires under heavy fire. At the time he wrote to his wife “I have kept my promise. You remember that I said I would either get the DCM or the VC, but everyone who has been out here all the time in the trenches deserves one, for I have seen many deeds deserving of recognition, but no officer has seen them.” He wrote in similar terms to his mother: “I did not do anything to deserve it, for there are thousands in this war who deserve it more and don’t get it, but, all the same, I am proud to receive it, for it will be something to look at”.

Three weeks ago Sergeant Andrews unexpectedly arrived home at 15 Adelaide Street, Luton. He made no mention of any deed for which he expected a second decoration, but since he returned to the Front he has again been awarded the DCM for his heroism in keeping telephone wires in working order. According to the citation “He carried out his duties with great bravery and devotion, under a very heavy shell fire, and under conditions of serious difficulty. He maintained the telephonic communications throughout, frequently mending his wires and carrying messages to the front and rear”.

Arthur Andrews is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews of 110 Wellington Street, Luton and an old boy of Queen Square School. He has served in the army for twelve years and has been at the Front since August without suffering any injury [1].  His wife is a descendant of a soldier who fought under Wellington at Corunna and Vimiers, and from a family which is highly respected in her home town of Wanlockhead, Dumfrieds. She was delighted to receive the following letter from the Mayor of Luton yesterday:

Dear Madam, I have been informed that your husband has been awarded a second Distinguished Conduct Medal for his services at the War, and it gives me very great pleasure to congratulate him most heartily on the remarkable distinction which he has earned. The town is very proud of him, and I trust that he may return to you safe and sound, at no distant date. I am, yours faithfully, W. J. Primett, Mayor.

Sources: Luton News 22nd July 1915; Luton Times and Advertiser 18th June and 13th August 1915

[1] Sergeant Andrews was commissioned as a Lieutenant in February 1917 and attached to the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was wounded in the legs on Easter Monday 1917 when a “bomb” (grenade) dropped by one of his comrades exploded by his feet and one leg had to be amputated, bringing his military career to an end.  [Source: Luton Times 22/2/1917 and 27/9/1917]

Linslade Man Describes How He Won DCM

William Harper Brantom (Find-A-Grave)

Sunday 11th July 1915: Private William Harper Brantom, the son of William and Emily Brantom of Ivy Dene, Stoke Road, Linslade has received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions while serving with the Civil Service Rifles at the Battle of Festubert on 24th May. Former Civil Service clerk Private Brantom of Linslade has describes how he came to be awarded the decoration:

“It happened on Whit-Monday, when the battalion, after a turn in the trenches, was in reserve. Eight volunteers were called for to act as bomb-throwers for the Post Office Rifles, who had been ordered to attack a particular section of the German trenches that had been giving trouble in their immediate front. A large number of men readily volunteered and after dark the eight chosen, in the charge of a sergeant of the Post Office Rifles, moved out in advance of the attacking company. The first German trench was surprised. Two bombs were exploded ‘beautifully’, and all the occupants of the trench killed. A furious fusillade then started from the neighbouring German trenches. The sergeant, and two leading ‘bombers’ fell, but the remainder went on and were so close to the enemy’s lines that every bomb found its billet. The little operation was soon finished and proved completely successful. Of the eight original ‘grenadiers’, four were killed, two wounded, and two escaped untouched.”

Private Brantom himself was one of the two men wounded and after some time in hospital in England has been home recovering. Bombing enemy trenches is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres for a soldier and it is to their great credit that Brantom and so many of his comrades were eager to volunteer. Private Brantom is now helping to recruit new men for his regiment [1].

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linslade Gazette, 6th and 13th July 1915

---

[1] 2nd Lieutenant William Harper Brantom was killed during the Battle of the Somme on 4th July 1916 and is buried in Bois-de-Noulette British Cemetery.

Two Brothers from Flitwick

Sidney and Alfred Stringer [Luton Times]

Friday 9th July 1915: Reports have been received of the heroism of two soldier brothers from Flitwick. Sergeant Alfred Stringer was serving in Africa as a corporal with the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment, from where he was recalled at the beginning of the war. Private Sidney John Stringer, joined his brother in the same Battalion at Southampton and they were both sent out to France. However, after only two weeks together the younger brother, Sidney, was killed fighting at Ypres on October 26th[1]. Alfred was wounded in four places by shrapnel and heard of his brother’s death while in hospital at Felixstowe. When he returned to the Front, he vowed to do something which would earn him either promotion or a medal. He achieved both, being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and promotion to the rank of Sergeant[2].

Source: Luton Times and Advertiser, 9th July 1915

---

[1] The Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives Private Sidney John Stringer’s date of death as 31st October 1914. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial.

[2] Sergeant Alfred Stringer appears to have survived the war. 

News from Barton, Clophill and Silsoe

Gassed, by John Singer Sargent (Wikimedia)

Sunday 4th July 1915

Barton-le-Clay

The annual School Treat is to be held in the Rectory Grounds on July 14th. There will be no sports or prizes this year as it has become impossible to raise the money, and if it could be raised there are too many other good causes to which it should be given. Another problem which will curtail outings this year is the lack of trains; no excursion trains are running, even to London.

Clophill

Sergeant Wootton and Jesse Titmas have both been suffering from the effects of poison gas. Sergeant Wootton has now recovered and returned to his regiment; he has also been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Silsoe

In November we heard that Captain Lumley Jones had been made a Member of the Legion of Honour and had been mentioned in dispatches. Since returning to his regiment after recovering from a bullet wound earlier this year  he has been awarded the Companionship of the Distinguished Service Order. He has also now been mentioned in dispatches no less than three times. A sergeant in the Essex Regiment recently home from the front made clear the high esteem in which his men hold Captain Jones saying “We would all go anywhere with, and do anything for him”.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, July 1915 [P21/30/17]

Leighton Buzzard Boy Youngest Ever to Win DCM

Fire at the Bell Hotel, 1911 [Z1306/72]

Saturday 3rd July 1915: News has reached us a former pupil of Beaudesert School at Leighton Buzzard has become the youngest recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1], an award for conspicuous bravery second only to the Victoria Cross, at the age of just sixteen[2]. Rifleman John (“Jack”) Pouchot of the Queen’s Westminster Rifles won the DCM for his gallant conduct in trying to the save the life of a wounded comrade. A corporal went out at night to collect water but misjudged the time. As he returned dawn broke, leaving his silhouette clear to the German snipers. He was shot while still 50 yards from the trench. Rifleman Pouchot left the trench and crawled to the wounded man who had a terribly wounded face and was gasping for breath.  As he tried to apply the corporal’s field dressing  another comrade, Rifleman Tibbs, joined them. While trying to bandage the wounded man Tibbs was also shot and killed. Pouchot continued to apply first aid until the corporal died and he was ordered by an officer to return to the trench. Aged only 16 - and just 15 at the time he performed his heroic action - Jack Pouchot is believed to be the youngest man in the Army to receive the DCM. He is the grandson of Mrs Mary Holdom of Bletchley and the son of Emily Pouchot, the former landlady of the Top Bell Hotel in Leighton Buzzard who died tragically following a fire at the hotel in 1911[3] [4].

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linslade Gazette, 6th July 1915

---

[1] The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was awarded to other ranks; the equivalent decoration for officers was the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

[2] The newspaper article describes him as “in his eighteenth year”, but his birth was registered between April and June 1899. As the action for which he won the DCM took place in January 1915 he can only have been fifteen at the time. He remains the youngest ever recipient of this decoration.

[3] Records in the Bedfordshire and Luton Archives include correspondence about custody and access arrangements for Jack Pouchot after his parents separated in 1908. 

[4] Lieutenant John Auguste Pouchot, now with the Royal Air Force, was killed on 5th October 1918. His age is given by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as twenty. It appears from the CWGC citation that after his mother’s death he was fostered by Mrs Edith Hawksford of Kingston-on-Thames.