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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 211

A very fine 'Vaulx Vraucourt 1 September 1918' D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private W. Sidell, 6th Battalion, Tank Corps, a Whippet tank Gunner who saved the life of a severely wounded comrade when they were hit by a shell and 'brewed up', Siddel worked out in the open for several hours, dragging the wounded soldier over some 400 yards of open ground - he also tended the wounds of another comrade

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (93000 Pte. W. Sidell. 6/Tank Corps.); British War and Victory Medals (93000 Pte. W. Sidell. Tank Corps.); War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 15 November 1918:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His tank became detached in the enemy front line and was hit by a shell, which set it on fire and wounded an officer
and two men. He first dressed the wounds of one of the men, and with the officer's assistance carried him to safety. He then returned to the other man and dragged him back across the open a distance of 400 yards to our line, taking two hours to accomplish this, owing to intense fire from three sides. He undoubtedly saved the man's life by his courage and determination.'

Walter Sidell was a native of Swanton Abbott and served in the Whippet tanks of the 6th Battalion, Tank Corps. He was decorated for his part in the action on 1 September, when he was a Gunner. Having had his tank put out of action, he dragged out the wounded Second Gunner, who was hit in two places, and dressed his wounds, and assisted his officer to carry him back as far as one of our forward machine gun posts. Sidell then returned alone to attend the driver, Private Tacchi, who was severely hit in the body. He dressed his wounds under very heavy fire and, yard by yard, dragged him back in daylight across the open to our forward post.

Sidell acted in the fine spirit of the Tank Corps and it was at that same location the following day on which Lieutenant-Colonel West rode up on horseback to his tanks - winning a Victoria Cross in the process - and delivered the immortal words:

'Stick it, men; show them fight, and for God’s sake put up a good fight.'

Sidell did just that and was presented with a Tank Corps Certificate, presented by Lieutenant-Colonel Jelles, for '...your pluck & soldierly conduct in action against the enemy.'

Sold together with the original certificate, ink faded and touched up overall, together with a lanyard.

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Sold for
£2,400

Starting price
£2200