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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 210

A pre-war veteran's 1915 'Deeds that Thrill the Empire' D.C.M. awarded to Private C. Button, whose act of gallantry appeared in that publication alongside a thrilling illustration

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6099 Pte C. Button. 1/W. York. Regt.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp North West Frontier 1908, unnamed; 1914 Star (6099 Pte C. Button. W. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6099 Pte. C. Button. W. York. R.), good very fine (5)

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 June 1915, the original citation states:

'For great gallantry displayed in going out to the rescue of a man who had been wounded on an open road, under heavy fire of the enemy 200 yards off, and carrying him to safety down a long ditch full of water.'

Charles Button was born at Hull, Yorkshire in 1879, son of George Button of Godwin Street, Hull. Enlisting with The West Yorkshire Regiment on 6 May 1910 he was posted to India with the 1st Battalion on 10 February 1902. While here in 1908 Button qualified for the I.G.S.M. for his services with 1st Battalion in the Burjina Pass; he left India the following year on 8 January 1909.

Transferred to the Army Reserve on 6 May 1909 he completed his service on 5 May 1913 and signed on as a Section 'D' Reservist. Still in this role on 5 August 1914 Button was mobilised for service in France. Entering the War in France on 24 September 1914 he was part of the first batch of reinforcements to the unit after the heavy casualties they had suffered in 1914.

He served admirably during the early months of 1915, earning a personal message from Major-General Kerr, commanding 6th Division, which stated:

'Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself during January, February, March and April 1915.
I have read their report with much pleasure.'

This is somewhat difficult to reconcile with his conduct during this time as Button was pronounced guilty of being found drunk in the trenches, being in possession of rum and 'urinating in guard room'. He was also, more seriously, found guilty of desertion on 8 March 1915 for which he forfeited his 1914 Star - though this was reinstated on 1 April 1921.

Returning to Britain on 22 May 1915 he was presented his award by Major-General Lawson at Fulford Barracks. Transferring to the Machine Gun Corps on 25 July 1916 he joined them in France on 12 November. He was later promoted Lance-Corporal with 145th Company on 15 October 1917 and at saw service in Italy in 1918; sold together with copied research including service papers, newspaper extracts and an extract from Deeds that Thrill the Empire as well as M.I.C., Medal Rolls and a London Gazette extract.

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Sold for
£1,400

Starting price
£550