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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 341

'One year has passed and friends around me
Think the wound is almost healed;
But they little know the sorrow
Deep within our hearts concealed.'

Penned by Albert Connor's heartbroken mother following his death in action on 15 October 1917.

The moving D.C.M. and Croix de Guerre group of four awarded to Sergeant A. W. Connor, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was twice decorated for his stoic 36-hour defence of a vulnerable communication trench at Pilckem Ridge, only to be killed in action by a German shell on 15 October 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20230 L. Sjt: W. A. Connor. 2/R. Berks: R.); British War and Victory Medals 1914-19 (20230 A. Sjt. W. A. Connor. R. Berks. R.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1917, with bronze palm upon riband, good very fine, together with the recipient's bronze Memorial Plaque and a Royal Berkshire Regiment cap badge (5)

D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1917:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of an advanced post. An enemy counter-attack drove back the troops on his flank, but he held on to his post, covering the withdrawal, and when outflanked fought his way back with his men and re-joined his battalion. He showed great fearlessness and initiative.'

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 July 1917.

Albert William Connor was born in Holborn in 1889, the second son of Jeremiah Connor of 110 Roslyn Road, Tottenham. He was educated at Broad Lane School, Tottenham. He was married with two daughters, Maudie and Elsie, when he enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment at Shoreditch in 1916. The Battalion took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on 31 July-2 August 1917, and he was twice decorated for this action. The Regimental History records that he took command of a party holding an advanced post in a blocked communication trench. Seizing a Lewis gun, he held on for 36 hours 'under the most trying circumstances', allowing the rest of his Battalion to withdraw. He was quickly promoted to Lance-Sergeant.

Albert was killed in action during the Battle of Passchendaele on 15 October 1917, aged 28. His Company commander, Captain J. A. Lowe, wrote to his younger brother:

'In reply to your letter asking for particulars of the death of your brother [Albert], may I first say how sorry I was to lose him. He was an excellent N.C.O. and well-liked by all the company. He was killed by the bursting of a shell which hit the top of his dugout and buried him… He is buried in a cemetery about three miles behind our line.'

Albert's older brother Harry served with the 4th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Regiment, and had already died of wounds on 28 July. Albert is buried in Grave III. B. 7, Prowse Point Military Cemetery. His older brother Harry is buried in Grave II. F. 56, Mendinghem Military Cemetery; sold with CWGC certificates, London Gazette entries and copied research.




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Sold for
£1,400

Starting price
£950