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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 189

The well-documented 1918 D.C.M. awarded to Company Sergeant-Major W. H. Budgen, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, who was further awarded the Italian Al Valore in 1918 and twice 'mentioned' over the course of the Great War

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (G-891 C.Q.M.Sjt: W. H. Budgen. 7/R. Suss: R.); 1914-15 Star (G-891 L.Cpl. W. H. Budgen. R. Suss: R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-891 C. Sgt. W. H. Budgen. R. Suss. R.); Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, bronze, unnamed as issued, minor pitting and contact wear overall, very fine (6)

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1919:

'For devotion to duty during the period 25th February to 16th September, 1918. He set a fine example to all ranks by his determination and utter disregard of danger. On many occasions, under heavy fire, he led his men in action with great gallantry, and as C.Q.M.S. never failed to get rations up to his company, in spite of heavy shelling.'

Al Valore London Gazette 12 September 1918.

Walter Harry Budgen entered the war in France on 31 May 1915 with the 7th Battalion, with whom he was to serve for the duration of the conflict. He was in on the action at Hohenzollern Redoubt in March 1916, earning his first Brigade Commendation for the action before taking a second for his part in the Battle of Arras the next year in April 1917.

Budgen was to back these up with a further four Divisional commendations, at least one of which was also won for Hohenzollern Redoubt, The History of the Seventh (Service) Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment 1914-1919, takes up the story stating:

'On the 30th Brigadier-General Boyd-Moss presented red and green cards to the N.C.O.s and men who had been recommended for distinguished conduct during the Hohenzollern fighting. The cards had been instituted by the Divisional Commander to assure the men concerned of his appreciation before the actual publication of the honours awarded, which often took place after the men had left the Division, A red card signified that the recommendation had been passed on by the Divisional Commander to the higher authorities, and a green card, that while it had not been possible to forward the recommendation, the Divisional Commander had taken note of it for a future occasion or for mention in dispatches. Fourteen men of the battalion were eligible to receive red cards, but owing to wounds or other causes only eight of them were present. As mentioned above, all of them were later awarded the Military Medal. The following were presented with green cards:- Sergeants W. H. Budgen…'

He was to add two 'mentions' to this already impressive haul. The first of these was also for his part in the Battle of Arras (London Gazette 22 April 1917) while the second was for his service in the Battle of Cambrai (London Gazette 18 December 1918). Throughout the final year of the war Budgen continually displayed distinguished conduct, having been promoted to Company Quartermaster-Sergeant, finally being awarded the D.C.M. in late 1918.

Promoted Colour Sergeant at some time after the award was gazetted he was finally demobilised on 21 September 1919; sold together with some copied research and a large archive of original research comprising:

i)
A copy of The History of the Seventh (Service) Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment 1914-1919.

ii)
Two Brigade Commendations

iii)
Four Divisional Commendations

iv)
The forwarding slip and presentation certificate for the Al Valore.

v)
Field Service postcard.

vi)
Photograph of the recipient in uniform.

vii)
Battalion issue Christmas card.

viii)
A large cloth with the Regimental crest.

xi)
Silver War Badge and Cap Badge.

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Estimate
£800 to £1,200

Starting price
£700