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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 230

A fine 'Battle of Poelcapelle' D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant W. V. Watkins, Somerset Light Infantry, who would be killed in action aged 47 in August 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3-7312 L. Cpl. W. V. Watkins. 1/Som: L. I.); 1914-15 Star (3-7312 Pte. W. V. Watkins. Som: L. I.); British War and Victory Medals (3-7312 Sjt. W. V. Watkins. Som. L. I.), nearly extremely fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 November 1917:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in working round the rear of a 'pill-box', that was holding up his platoon, he killed three of the garrison of twelve with the bayonet. This enables the remainder of the platoon to rush up and capture the 'pill-box', and account for the remainder of the garrison except two.'

William Vaughan Watkins was born in 1871 at St. John, Bristol and served in France with the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry from 14 April 1915. Promoted Lance-Corporal on 10 May 1915, it was for his gallantry with 'C' Company in the mud of Poelcapelle around 'Kangaroo Trench' that he won a well-deserved D.C.M. The Regimental History takes up the story:

'Kangaroo Trench was found occupied by the Germans, but they gave little trouble. The British barrage had accounted for a good many and the remainder were only too glad to give themselves up. The attack swept on and no serious opposition was met with until the line of the track running south from Lemnos House was reached. On the road, which was the line of the first objective, were several piles of stones and these were held by the Germans, in force. Heavy fire was opened on them and after several had been killed opposition broke down and the Somerset men again advanced. The right of the Battalion, together with some men of the 11th Division (on the right of the 1st Somersets), then attacked a concrete house on the Poelcapelle Road, south of Ferdan House. A German machine-gun was firing from the roof of this house and another from the side of it. A Lewis gun was then brought into action and, under cover of its fire, the attackers worked round a flank and got in rear of the house. Several Germans were killed before the remainder and the two machine-guns were captured.'

Advanced to Acting Corporal on 25 November 1917 and Sergeant, 9 July 1918, Watkins was killed in action aged 47 on 10 August 1918 by '...a chance stray shell' (Regimental History, p59, refers) during a German attack on Arras. Buried in the Mont-Bernachon Cemetery, France, his widow Elizabeth, of Gas Lane, St. Philips, Bristol, chose the following epitaph for his gravestone:

'ONE OF THE BEST.'

Sold with copied extracts and letter confirming appointments from the Regimental Curator, dated 16 May 1975.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,300