Description
A Manchester Pals “Munich Trench” DCM awarded to Lance Corporal, later Sergeant, William Craven 2nd Battalion attached 22nd (Service) (7th City) Battalion The Manchester Regiment. Distinguished Conduct Medal, GVR, (1531 L. Cpl W. Craven. 2/Manch. R.), edge bump otherwise very fine.
DCM, London Gazette, 3rd March 1917
“For conspicuous gallantry in action. He located an enemy dugout and stood at its entrance till help arrived. His prompt action resulted in the capture of two officers, fifty men and two machine guns.”
1531 L/Cpl, later Sergeant, William Craven 2nd Battalion The Manchester Regiment was attached to the 22nd (Service) (7th City) Battalion The Manchester Regiment at the time he earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Research at the Nation Archives in WO 391/15 reveals that their list of DCM citations has a handwritten notation next to the award as follows “Munich Trench- 11.1.1917”, copy sold with Medal.
Munich Trench was east of Beaumont Hamel on the Somme on the 11th January 1917 it was attacked by the Manchester Pals . They lost that day 17 killed, 10 missing and 54 wounded. Capturing 3 officers, 130 men and 4 Machine Guns, the lion’s share being captured singlehandedly by L/Cpl Craven.
William is entitled to a 1914 Star Trio having landed with the 2nd Battalion The Manchester Regiment on the 8th November 1914.
Sold with Copy War Diary entries for attack, copy Medal Index Card and Medal Rolls, copy Map of Munich Trench, copy London Gazette entries.
