A Distinguished Service Order and Mentioned in Despatches recipient Battle of Cambrai casualty Victory Medal awarded to Captain C.R. Gold, Derbyshire Yeomanry, attached 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry who would serve on the Western Front from 18th October 1916 and would be awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the London Gazette of 18th July 1917 for gallantry in attacking an enemy strong point, with a handful of men, he rushed it from a flank, inflicting many casualties and capturing twenty prisoners and two machine-guns. He would be killed in action on 21st November 1917 and is now buried in St. Souplet British Cemetery as well as on the Reigate War Memorial, and would receive a Mention in Despatches on 11th December 1917 shortly after his death.
Victory Medal; with Mention in Despatches oakleaf emblem; (CAPT C.R. GOLD. D.S.O.)
Condition: Good Very Fine
Charles Rene Gold was born in 1896, and was educated at Alleyn Court School, Westcliff-On-Sea and later at Uppingham where he served for three years in the Officer Training Corps. He enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Company and would later be commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Derbyshire Yeomanry on 20th November.
Gold would see service on the Western Front on 18th October 1916 and would be awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the London Gazette of 18th July 1917 whilst attached to the Durham Light Infantry:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest gallantry and initiative in attacking an enemy strong point which had been a severe hindrance. He, with only a handful of men, rushed it from a flank, inflicting many casualties and capturing twenty prisoners and two machine-guns.’
He would be promoted to Captain after the award of his Distinguished Service Order, and would be posthumously Mentioned in Despatches on 11th December 1917. Having been killed in action during the Battle of Cambrai on 21st November 1917 whilst attached to the 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and is now buried in St. Souplet British Cemetery and is noted as the son of C.P. Gold of Beaulieu, Cambridge Park, E. Twickenham. He is also remembered on the Reigate, Surrey War Memorial and on the St. Mark’s Church, Reigate, Surrey Memorial Cross.
