A good Heavy Trench Mortar’s Western Front Battle of the Lys Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to Corporal J.W. Chadwick, V/1 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, who having served on the Western Front from 5th December 1915 was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 3rd September 1919 for his gallantry and initiative in the fighting near Bethune in April 1918 when on 9th April out of communication with his officer, he kept his mortar in action until it was destroyed by shell fire. Having attempted to regain communication and failed he fought with the infantry, until later, wounded, he would return to his mortar position and remain there until ultimately relieved and admitted to hospital.
Distinguished Conduct Medal, GVR. Fm.bust; (62721 CPL J.W. CHADWICK. R.G.A.)
Condition: Extremely Fine
John W. Chadwick saw service as a Gunner and later Corporal (No. 62721) with the Royal Garrison Artillery on the Western Front from 5th December 1915. He would be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette on 3rd September 1919 for gallantry while attached to V/1 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. The citation which notes he was a native of Shaw, near Oldham, reads:
;For marked gallantry and initiative during the enemy offensive in the neighbourhood of Bethune in April 1918. On the 9th April, when in charge of a heavy trench-mortar at Le Plantin, and out of communication with his officer, he kept his mortar in action until it was destroyed by shell fire. He then tried to establish communication with the officer in charge and, having failed, he fought with the infantry. Later he returned to his mortar position, and although he was wounded and the situation was obscure, he remained at his post until ultimately relieved and admitted to hospital.’
The fighting around Bethune formed part of the Battle of the Lys also known as the Fourth Battle of Ypres, was fought from 7 to 29 April 1918 and was part of the German spring offensive in Flanders during the First World War. It was originally planned by General Erich Ludendorff as Operation George but was reduced to Operation Georgette, with the objective of capturing Ypres, forcing the British forces back to the Channel ports and out of the war. In planning, execution and effects, Georgette was similar to (although smaller than) Operation Michael, earlier in the Spring Offensive
