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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 225

A Mesopotamia 1916 D.C.M., 1917 Cross of Karageorge, group of five awarded to Serjeant C. O'Brien, 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment who was further mentioned

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2047 Cpl. C. O'Brien. 1/Manch: R.); 1914 Star, clasp (2047 L.Cpl. C. O'Brien. 1/Manch:R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oakleaves (2047 Sjt. C. O'Brien. Manch. R.); Serbia, Kingdom, Cross of Karageorge 1st Type, with Swords, good very fine (5)

D.C.M. London Gazette 20 October 1916,the original citation states:

'For Distinguished and consistently good service as a machine-gunner. The first to volunteer for any dangerous work. He set an excellent example of devotion to duty.'

Serbian Cross of Karageorge London Gazette 15 February 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1916.

Charles O'Brien was a native of Pilling Street, Morecombe and entered the war on 27 August 1914. Stationed with a machine gun section of the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment he saw action with them at Festubert and Givenchy from December 1914-early 1915. They took part in the follow up actions at Neuve Chapelle, suffering heavy losses before later being present for the Battle of Loos.

Posted to Mesopotamia in January 1916 they arrived at Basra and marched north to take part in the Relief of Kut. They saw heavy fighting at Dujalah redoubt in March and the Abu Roman trenches in April, the surrender of the defenders at the end of April saw them on largely defensive operations. It seems likely that O'Brien's D.C.M. was awarded for his actions during the offensive around Kut but it may also be for the fighting around the same region after the city fell.

O'Brien was awarded his D.C.M. in a special Gazette in October along with a 'mention' which a local newspaper noted came from General Lake who had commanded a portion of Allied efforts around Kut until being replaced in August. The Battalion was present for the British offensive which retook Kut and advanced into Mesopotamia, eventually taking Baghdad.

During this period O'Brien was further awarded the Serbian Cross of Karageorge for his sterling work. He eventually joined the Machine Gun Corps from the Manchester Regiment and was posted to the Army Reserve on 6 March 1919; sold together with copied newspaper clippings, citation and medal rolls.

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Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£800