The superb Fontruet 24th September 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, Western Front autumn 1917 Military Medal and action specific 20th April 1918 attack on Givenchy Second Award bar to the Military Medal awarded to Serjeant C. Owen, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who arrived in France on 31st December 1915, just in time to qualify for the 1914-1915 Star. He would go on to take part in the fighting on the Somme, where he would be hospitalised on 15th July 1916 during the fighting at Contalmaison. After recovery he would return to the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment where he would receive his first decoration, a Military Medal, in the London Gazette of 23rd February 1918, this gazette covering awards made at Passchendaele between October and December 1917 as well as a small number awards for the Battle of Cambrai. He would next be decorated with a Second Award bar to his Military Medal, receiving the medal in the field on 1st May 1918 for his gallantry during the attack on Givenchy on 20th April, the award being confirmed in the London Gazette of 6th August 1918. His final decoration would be a Distinguished Conduct Medal announced in the London Gazette of 2nd December 1919 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack on enemy trenches on 24th September 1918, south of Fontruet. Whilst in charge of a platoon he set a fine example of courage and leadership. When held up by an enemy machine gun, he worked his men round the flanks and finally led them in a rush which captured the gun and killed the gunners. His dash and daring has always been of immense value to his company’. Posted to the Special Reserve on 31st March 1919 he would later be discharged.
Group of 5: Distinguished Conduct Medal, GVR,; (3-10420 SJT. C. OWEN. M.M. 1/NORTH’N.R.) Military Medal, GVR 1st type bust with Second Award Bar; (3-10420 L.CPL. C. OWEN. 1/NTH’N R.) 1914-1915 Star; (3-10420 PTE. C. OWEN. NORTH’N R.) British War Medal and Victory Medal; (3-10420 SJT. C. OWEN. NORTH’N R.)
Condition: minor contact wear to both the DCM and MM, and an edge-bruise to the DCM at 2 o’clock, DCM and MM, Very Fine, trio Nearly Extremely Fine
Cecil Owen was born in Weston, Northamptonshire on 26th August 1896 and attested just two days after his eighteenth birthday on 28th August 1914 having given his trade as ‘Farm Work’. He would arrive in France on 31st December 1915, and would see service with the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment with whom he would see service on the Somme, and on 15th July 1916, he would be hospitalised having been gassed during the fighting at Contalmaison. He would go on to be appointed Lance Corporal on 23rd August 1917.
The 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment war diary notes that Owen was awarded his Military Medal in the field on 5th December 1917, this being officially confirmed in the London Gazette of 23rd February 1918 – this Gazette covers awards for the fighting at Passchendaele, Ypres between October and December 1917, as well as a few awards for the Battle of Cambrai.
He would be awarded a Bar to his Military Medal in the field on 1st May 1918 this being noted in the 1st Battalion War Diary for work on 20th April 1918. The War Diary for 20th April covers an attack on Givenchy:
‘The Company’s formed up at 4.30am, A Company on the left and C Company on the right and moved forward to the attack at 4.45am as dawn was breaking. By 5.05am, the Companies were established in the final objective. The positions were fairly strongly held but many of the enemy retired on the approach of our men, but quite a large proportion of them were killed, 18 prisoners were taken, and 5 more in the afternoon. The enemy opposed the advance with fairly heavy Machine Gun fire and after position was taken, there was a considerable amount of sniping with light machine-gun and rifles at close range. The enemy also made some half-hearted attempts both on the left and right to bomb us out through saps heading from the craters in front which the enemy held These attempts were easily repulsed. During the morning 2 platoons of B Company which were in these trenches went up to reinforce, one going to A Company and one to C Company. The men did this operation extremely well especially as the ground was absolutely new to all, and as the attack was at dawn it was most difficult to keep direction. No organised counter-attack was made but during evening trench was rather heavily bombarded.
Casualties were A Company. Lieutenant Cockerill and Second Lieutenant Hill wounded and 40 other ranks casualties. Captain Pickering MC was wounded in the hand but remained at duty. C Company had Lt. Pilkington killed and 2nd Lieutenant Caldwell missing and 56 other ranks casualties.
The Second Award Bar to the Military Medal would be confirmed in the London Gazette of 6th August 1918.
Owen would lastly be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the field on 21st November, this being later announced in the London Gazette of 2nd December 1919 the citation reading:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack on enemy trenches on 24th September 1918, south of Fontruet. Whilst in charge of a platoon he set a fine example of courage and leadership. When held up by an enemy machine gun, he worked his men round the flanks and finally led them in a rush which captured the gun and killed the gunners. His dash and daring has always been of immense value to his company.’
Owen had been posted to the Special Reserve on 31st March 1919 and was later discharged.
