AN IMPORTANT
"ONE MAN ARMY"

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL & PAIR.

To:
293664.Pte G.W. BATTISON 9th NORFOLK REGT.
(Twice Wounded)

"WHO RAN OUT, 200 YARDS, UNDER WITHERING ENEMY MACHINE GUN FIRE IN FRONT OF HIS ADVANCING UNIT & SINGLE HANDEDLY SET UP A LEWIS MACHINE GUN IN NO MANS LAND AND TOOK ON THE ENEMY ALONE "

[ BIOGRAPHY]
GEORGE W. "WALLY" BATTISON was born in Northampton and at the time of his enlistment on 28th February 1917, he was a leather tannery worker. Northampton was then of course the biggest leather and shoe manufacturing town in the world. He was living with his wife at 20 Lincoln Road, St James. His mother was living at 34 Byfield Road. His unit (9th Norfolks) had arrived in France on 30th August 1915, but clearly, as Wally didn't qualify for a 1914-1915 star he had arrived in theatre later as a re-enforcement in about May 1917.

He was wounded twice, for the first time in late 1917 (hospital report 16th November 1917) and secondly during his DCM action on 9th October 1918 where he received several serious wounds to his right leg.

[D.C.M. CITATION, LONDON GAZETTE, 12th DECEMBER 1918]
"For marked courage and initiative at Bohain on 9th October 1918. He advanced alone with his Lewis Gun under heavy machine gun fire in a position about 200 yards in front of his platoon when they were held up and engaged the enemy machine gun inflicting casualties on them and causing them to abandon their gun and so enabled the platoon to advance to their final objective. His conduct throughout the day was a splendid example to all his comrades.

On this occasion, having received several quite severe wounds in his right leg, he was hospitalised for the last few days of the war and remained there during the 11th November armistice period and over the Christmas period of 1918.

(A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM HOME, 1918)
While in hospital he received the gift of a very nice leather wallet & supporting letter describing the gift from The Northampton Allied War Fund. Here is the wallet which is still in lovey condition. Included is a newspaper cutting showing the above photograph with further details of Mr Battison who is described and a local "fancier" presumably of pigeons ! Before the war he worked in the then huge leather working and tanning industry for which Northampton was then world famous. His employer, British Chrome Tannery Co, were so impressed with his gallantry in France that they presented him with a 'valuable case of butterflies'

He was presented with his DCM at a major post war awards investiture in Belfast, Northern Ireland, by Brigadier-General Sir William Hacket Pain K.B.E., C.B. ( included is a full printed report with names of all the many recipients and families of the deceased who attended the ceremony.

Also included is a letter to Mr Battison from the DCM league. It is clear from the contents of the letter that Mr Battison had written to the League for some level of assistance. The League was founded in 1931 to "aid DCM's in distress and to assist them to obtain employment ". It is becoming clear that Mr Battison's injuries were indeed serious and that his bravery in winning his medal had cost him dearly.

A Classic DCM to a man who's gallantry was bordering on the insane and who's type of conduct had convinced many Germans that the British were actually quite mad. It's our general opinion that men with citations similar to this are normally a near miss to receiving a Victoria Cross.
This type of selfless bravery was THE reason we won the Great War. Mr Battison's wounds received during his DCM action were clearly very serious and permanently disabling as he was seen in receipt of a Disablement Pension of 16/- shillings per week from 17th October 1919. (Chelsea papers included.) He received a 6d per week increase in this sum on the same day for his distinguished conduct, but amazingly had to return a £20 cash gratuity he had received with his medal !!! ( Typical Government !! )

We hope this ultra brave and injured soldier was able to at least resume his pigeon fancying and butterfly collecting !! We Thank You George !

MEDALS PRACTICALLY MINT STATE ON THEIR ORIGINAL RIBBONS & CLEARLY NEVER WORN
£2750
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