Wednesday September 18th, 1918
Ditto
Sergeant W Brookes, DCM, MSM
Today the Battalion Diary mentions Sergeant Brookes, 11760 who served with the Manchester Regiment throughout the war. He embarked for France in November 1915 and, as such, earned the 1914-1915 Star. While serving with the 17th Battalion (which was absorbed first into the 13th and then into the 9th last month), Sgt Brooks has earned both the Meritorious Service Medal º and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Both are reported within days of each other in the London Gazette.
His citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal reads:
‘11760 Sjt. W. Brookes, Manchester Regiment, (Sheffield). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At a critical moment, when the enemy attempted to surround his flank, this NCO collected a mixed party of men, and with a Lewis gun rushed to the threatened position, exposing himself fearlessly throughout the action, and inspiring the men with confidence. His prompt and gallant action undoubtedly saved the situation, and all the time he was under very heavy machine gun fire.’¹
Sergeant Brookes, will serve throughout the war. He will be demobilized, once again a Private, to ‘Class Z‘ in May 1919.
Distinguished Conduct Medal
This honour was created in 1854 during the Crimean War as an award to Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the British Army for ‘distinguished, gallant and good conduct in the field’. For all ranks below commissioned officer, it was the second highest award for gallantry in action after the Victoria Cross. As such, it was the other ranks equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order, which was awarded to commissioned officers.
The photograph shows the version of the DCM that Sergeant Brookes would have been awarded.
The DCM together with the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal and the Distinguished Service Order were discontinued in 1993 and replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for which all ranks are eligible.
In total, approximately 25,000 were awarded to British and Commonwealth troops during WWI.² Sergeant Brooke’s was in very good company.
9th Battalion War Diary – 18th September 1918 – Haudricourt
Training as per programme. TAB inoculation. Extract from London Gazette dated 3-9-18 No 11760, Sgt W Brookes DCM awarded MSM. 2 OR are struck off effective strength after 7 days in hospital 9-9-18. 3 OR having rejoined are again taken on 17-9-18. I OR is struck off effective strength on admission to hospital Manchester 9-9-18. Battalion Sports.
References & Further Reading
º The London Gazette, 26th August, 1918, issue 30873, page 10143
¹ The London Gazette, 3rd Sept, 1918, issue 30879, page 10274
² Distinguished Conduct Medal on Wikipedia
* This work created by the United Kingdom Government is in the public domain. Available under Creative Commons licence from Wikimedia