This is Great War Trio + Distinguished Conduct Medal + Dress Medals + National Rifle Association + Rife Shooting Medal (1928) to 8/13804 Corporal S. Neal – B Company South Staffordshire Regiment. 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment were part of Kitcheners 2nd New Army They joined 51st Brigade Northern Division and subsequently went to south Ypres in January 1916 On Feb. 14th 1916 they were under intense artillery assault from German positions This was followed by an enemy infantry attack. This was the point that Corporal S. Neal was badly injured in his left hip by shrapnel. Yet still saw action that resulted in an act of bravery that led to his award of the D. Conferment of the D. Gallantry award was announced in the London Gazette and accompanied by a citation. He continued to throw bombs (Grenades) during two nights after being wounded, and refused to leave his position until his battalion was relieved. Though only 19 years of age, this young N. Has set a splendid example to his men. The Bluff – 14/02/1916. The Bluff – On 8th February 1916, 17th (Northern) Division had taken over a sector of V Corps front, from near St Eloi to the Ypres-Comines Railway at Zwarte Leen (Zwartelen). The operations in the area of the Bluff from the start of the enemy attack to noon on 17 February cost the British 1,294 casualties. Which included a large mound on the north bank of the canal, known as The Bluff. A spoil heap from the construction of the canal, The Bluff had excellent views over both the British and the German lines and control of it was crucial to control of the area. The Ypres-Comines canal, running south east from the town, cut through the front lines about 3 miles from the Cloth Hall. This was the position at the end of the First Battle of Ypres and it was much the same by 1916, the Second Battle having not altered things. Facing the British, the village of Hollebeke; on the left was the hotly-contested ground of Hill 60 and Zwarteleen, and on the right the hotspot at St Eloi. On the northern embankment of the canal, a curious mound a spoil-heap, created when the canal was excavated gave the British front an unusual observation advantage over the enemy. If the enemy held it, the view across the rear areas of the Salient to Hill 60, towards Ypres and down to Voormezele would have made the Salient very difficult to hold. The position just had to be held. On 14th February, the front was being held by 52nd Infantry Brigade on the right, south of the Ypres-Comines Canal and 51st Infantry Brigade on the left, north of the Canal. 52nd Infantry Brigade had responsibility for defending the Canal itself and it’s right flank battalion, 10th Lancashire Fusiliers was on both banks of the Canal and the right of The Bluff. During the day the whole of the Divisional front had been subjected to an intense artillery bombardment, when at 17.45pm three mines went up around The Bluff. A counter-attack was organised for 21.30pm, but by this time the German’s had consolidated their position with machine-guns and the attack was beaten off. Two more counter-attacks were defeated at 02.00am and 04.00am on 15th February. This is a terrible story of intense action that was not untypical of action experienced in this theatre during the Great War… These medals represent an excellent investment as these medals will increase in value as the years pass. If there are any questions then please don’t hesitate to contact me! The item “GREAT WAR WW1 Trio + Distinguished Conduct Medal DSM + Dress Medals etc” is in sale since Monday, November 19, 2018. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “carartandstuff” and is located in Torrington. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Era: 1914-1945
- Service: Army
- Type: Medals & Ribbons
- Issued/ Not-Issued: Issued
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)
- Country/ Organization: Great Britain
- Modified Item: No