Distinguished Conduct Medal

THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A total of 40 Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to members of the 52nd Battalion.

• Avicolle, William, Pte, 105325
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the attacks at Bois-de-Vert and Boiry, on 27th and 28th August, 1918. With one comrade he went well ahead in the first attack, and came on a large party of the enemy preparing for a counter-attack. His comrade was killed, but he held on and sniped at least fifteen of the enemy. He later took an important message through heavy fire to battalion headquaters. The following day he was badly wounded in attempting to get his Lewis gun into action" (LG 31726/p46, 09 January 1920).
  
  
• Beauregard, George, Pte, 820565
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Bois-de-Vert and Boiry, on 27th August, 1918. He was one of a small party who penetrated the enemy's position, and came on five of the enemy, one of whom showed fight. He shot him and killed two others at close quarters, and then, with the help of three men, secured twenty-three prisoners out of a dug-out" (LG 31726/p46, 09 January 1920).

• Bell, G T, Pte,
  
  
• Bernhardt, Clayton, CSM, 105925
  "Throughout his service in France, from 1916, he has shown marked gallantry and ability. On 27th September, 1918, during the Cambrai battle, owing to casualties, he assumed command of the company, and led them to their objectives under very heavy barrage. Next day, when the company was held up by a machine-gun post, he took command of one section and rushed the post, capturing thirty-five prisoners and twelve machine guns" (LG 31819/p109, 09 March 1920).
  
  
• Blyth, William Ross, Pte, 439738
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He made a daring reconnaissance prior to a raid, and in the raid itself led his section with great dash to the objective. Finding the enemy had withdrawn, he joined a party of one officer and six other ranks, and with them worked in several hundred yards, and lay and waited for the enemy, who appeared three-quarters of an hour later. In the fight that followed he was forward in the attack, and received a painful bayonet wound. Notwithstanding thes, he seized one of the enemy and tried to bring him back as a live identification, but had to kill him. The success of the raid was largely attributed to the firm courage and determination of Private Blyth" (LG 30983/p41, 29 October 1918).

• Bouchard, Leo, Sgt, 439332
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has served with his battalion continuously for nearly three years. He has at all times shown marked personal courage, initiative, and skill in handling his men, particularly during the heavy fighting of August, 1918. On one occasion, when his officer was killed, he assumed command, and, though isolated from the rest of his company and in the midst of a dense fog, he led his men through the enemy barrage to their objective" (LG 31534/p84, 02 September 1919).
  
  
• Bussineau, John Joseph, Cpl, 754070
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack and in assisting to repel a strong counter-attack. At night, when in charge of an outpost, he noticed three enemy scouts in front of his position, and with a serjeant and private worked out towards them, killing one and capturing the other two. Then, noticing a strong hostile patrol approaching, he again advanced, out-flanked them, and captured one officer and ten other ranks, with a machine gun, which was afterwards effectively used by us. This enemy patrol was specially equipped with revolvers and daggers" (London Gazette 30601/p3882, 26 March 1918).
  
  Cpl Bussineau won his DCM for work at Passchendaele (52nd Bn War Diary, December 1917, Appendix 2).
  
  
• Cawston, Charles Lloyd, LCpl, 234115
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy raid. A party of the enemy succeeded in entering the front line and began to bomb along it. Though his Lewis gun had been put out of action he held up the enemy with rifle fire, and though heavily outnumbered drove them back in disorder, killing their leader and capturing two prisoners. He showed splendid initiative and determination" (LG 30766/p10, 25 June 1918).

• Caza, Frederick Arshel, Sgt, 439382
  52nd Bn War Diary, December 1917, Appendix 2.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his platoon and helping to hold the line until only he and three others were left. When the attack was launched he led his three men to a position where they could snipe the enemy in a pill-box from which a destructive machine gun fire had proceeded. After silencing this fire they rushed the position from the rear, capturing a large number of prisoners and five machine guns, and held the pill-box until the whole of the company moved up" (London Gazette 30601/p43, 26 March 1918).
  
  Sgt Caza won his DCM for work at Passchendaele.
  
  
• Clague, J M, A/CSM, 428143, 14 January 1919
  "During the attack on Damery on 15th August, 1918, when the enemy were counter-attacking, he was with a party that went to the assistance of a hard-pressed company. Taking charge of all men he met he led them forward, assisting in the capture of many prisoners and personally accounting for a large number of the enemy. Later, when most of the NCO's were out of action, he took the duties of CSM upon himself and rendered valuable help in reorganising the company against a further counter-attack. Throughout the day he displayed the utmost skill and courage" (LG 31128/p25).
  
  
• Dupuis, C, Pte, 438798, 09 March 1920
  "For courage and devotion to duty from the 12th September to the 11th November, 1918. He has been a sniper since the battalion came to France in March 1916. He has accounted for a large number of the enemy" (LG 31819/p112).
  
  
• Fraser, A, LCpl
  (LG 31726/p48, 09 January 1920).
  
  
• Harmon, B W, Spr
  (LG 29503/p98)
  
  
• Hill, David, Cpl, 754398
  "On 1st October, 1918, he took part with his battalion in an assault on the enemy positions, at Tilloy, N.W. of Cambrai. He was No. 1 on a Lewis gun. He took a leading part in a flank attack on a strong machine-gun position, which resulted in its capture with twenty prisoners and six machine guns. Subsequently, by his courageous work with his gun, he materially assisted in the taking from the flank of another enemy post with 150 prisoners and twenty machine guns. He showed fine courage and initiative" (LG 31668/p86, 28 November 1919).
  
  
• Jenkins, John Thomas, Sgt, 136347
  "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led a raiding party with great courage and skill, himself killing one of the enemy and thereby saving a comrade's life" (LG 29940/p12, 13 February 1917).
  
  
• Jewell, Walter Ernest, Pte, 439639
  52nd Bn War Diary, October 1917, Appendix 2.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy's trenches. His company met with severe opposition from several enemy strong points. He led his men against one of these on his own initiative, and, after capturing it, bombed his way down the enemy's main trench until he got into touch with his own platoon. His fearless conduct and good judgement contributed largely to the success of the enterprise" (London Gazette 30512/p1755, 05 February 1918).
  
  Pte Jewell won his DCM for work during a raid at Lens shortly after the battle of Hill 70.
  
  
• Johnson, William T, RSM, 438524
  "For conspicuous gallantry, devotion to duty and consistent good work at all times. He invariably displayed great courage, energy and efficiency, and set a fine example to his men" (LG 30636/p46, 16 April 1918).
  
  
• Kavanagh, John Henry, Pte, 439772, 18 August 1916
  "For conspicuous gallantry on many occasions, notably in climbing a tree to rescue a wounded observer, who was forty feet up, under heavy shell fire. He reached him just in time to prevent his falling to certain death. Until wounded himself, he did splendid voluntary patrol work" (LG 29713/p23).
  
  
• King, Joseph Harold, RQMS, 439041
  "For courage and devotion to duty during nearly three years' service in the field. As company quartermaster-serjeant for over a year in France, and since that time as battalion quartermaster-serjeant he has constantly set a fine example of courage under most trying conditions, and has shown great resource and unflagging energy in seeing that his battalion always had the necessary supplies and equipment, in particular during the open fighting of 1918, when he was constantly in the forward area, supervising and maintaining supply under fire" (LG 31534/p87, 02 September 1919).
  
  
• Kisek, David, Pte, 821017
  "He displayed marked courage and headwork during the attack on enemy positions at Tilloy on 1st October, 1918. When his company was held up by heavy fire, he on his own initiative ran into the open, and, with his Lewis gun at the hip, fired four pans into the enemy machine guns. His fire was so effective that a party of the company on the right were able to advance and capture the four machine guns together with about seventy prisoners, amongst whom was an enemy officer. He did splendid work" (LG 31668/p88, 28 November 1919).
  
  
• Lawson, W E, CSM, 18 October 1918
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During operations the warrant officer displayed fine courage and ability, and throughout his service with the battalion he has ben distinguished by his untiring devotion to duty" (LG 30961/p63).
  
  
• Leaver, Charles Henry, Sgt, 135181
  "During the heavy bombardment with high explosive and gas shells, near Damery, from 8th to 15th August, 1918. The CSM being wounded, this NCO took over his duties and organised parties to dig out and carry the wounded, in spite of the shelling, which was intense, continuing in his efforts till all ranks were under cover. Later, during the capture of Damery, he worked indefatigably until he was wounded, and even then he was unwilling to leave his company. He showed a fine example of staying power and courage" (LG 31128/p32, 14 January 1919).
  
  
• Meadows, C H, Sgt, 425069
  "For conspicuous gallantry and determination on 15th August, 1918, during the attack on Damery, he led the bombers down a sap which was occupied by the enemy. He supervised and assisted in bombing the enemy out of the block, capturing five machine-guns. He then cleared the way for the platoon behind. He was the first to enter the village, and kept working his men along. On reaching the objective, with one other man, he continued to follow the enemy until they made a stand; he was able to furnish a good patrol report. He was wounded, but refused to be sent out, and carried on throughout the day, doing excellent work" (LG 31128/p34, 14 January 1919).
  
  
• McCullie, James, Sgt, 440448
  52nd Bn War Diary, December 1917, Appendix 2
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in command of a platoon on the right flank of the company during an attack against pill-boxes. He was responsible for, and succeeded under heavy fire in connecting our right flank with the adjoining troops. He also reconnoitred the enemy position under continuous rifle and machine-gun fire. When the final attack was launched, he led his men forward, and in spite of a barrage beat off a counter-attack. Though exhausted by his efforts in the mud, he spent the night strengthening his position" (London Gazette 30601/p, 26 March 1918).
  
  Sgt McCullie won his DCM for work at Passchendaele.
  
  
• McFayden, Hugh A, Sgt, 820117
  "For fine courage and leadership. On 1st October, 1918, his battalion attacked the enemy positions at Tilloy, north-west of Cambrai. When his company was held up by heavy fire he took charge of a Lewis-gun crew and attacked the enemy in the flank. Due largely to his personal boldness and enterprise, the party were successful, and captured some twenty prisoners and six machine guns. Later, he led the same Lewis-gun crew to an attack on the left flank, resulting in some 150 prisoners and twenty machine guns and one field gun being captured. He did splendid work" (LG 31668/p90, 28 November 1919).
  
  
• McInnes, John, Cpl, 171173
  52nd Bn War Diary, October 1917, Appendix 2.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy's trenches. In order to support the assaulting troops it was necessary for him to get his Lewis gun into action in advance of the captured trenches. While moving into position his gun was damages and two of his team were killed. He at once repaired his gun, got it into action without assistance, and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, at the same time screening his company against the danger of counter-attack. His courage and resource were a great factor on the success of the operation" (London Gazette 30512/p1756, 05 February 1918).
  
  Cpl McInnes won his DCM for work during a raid at Lens shortly after the battle at Hill 70.
  
  
• McLennan, Donald, Cpl, 438727
  52nd Bn War Diary, December 1917, Appendix 2.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in going forward under a deadly fire of snipers and machine-guns to reconnoitre. The information he obtained enabled the pill-boxes to be taken without heavy losses. He afterwards consolidated the ground gained and attended to a large number of wounded during heavy shelling" (London Gazette 30601/p46, 26 March 1918).
  
  Cpl McLennan won his DCM for work at Passchendaele.
  
  
• McVicar, Peter, Pte, 438285
  52nd Bn War Diary, December 1917, Appendix 2
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack against enemy "pill-boxes." When acting as a scout in front of his company he came under fire from two enemy snipers, but advanced against them and killed them both. He was one of those who crawled in close to one of the 'pill-boxes" and attracted the enemy's fire, thus permitting an attack upon it in strength" (London Gazette 30601/p3886, 26 March 1918).
  
  Pte McVicar won his DCM for work at Passchendaele.
  
  
• Murray, R C, Cpl, 18 June 1917
  
  
• Murray, William, LCpl, 438278
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a raid, of which the section he commanded formed part, he was of the greatest assistance to the officer in command of the operation, and by his courage and tenacity was largely responsible for the success of the operation. Despite a stubborn resistance, and in face of heavy machine-gun fire, he attained his objective, and captured the machine-gun, killing two of the detachement and making a prisoner of the third, who furnished valuable identification at a time when it was urgently needed. He led his men and fought with splendid determination" (LG 30879/p112, 30 August 1918).
  
  
• Rhoades, R, Pte, 439325 03 September 1918
  
  
• Rose, H, Cpl, 25 June 1918
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy raid. A party of the enemy succeeded in entering the front line and began to bomb along it. He at once organised counter-attacks, drove the enemy out in disorder, killing their leader, and captured two prisoners. He showed splendid initiative and determination" (LG 30766/p11).
  
  
• Scarth, Ralph, Cpl, 204250
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the handling of his grenade section during an attack. He led a party that captured a "pill-box," and then, with a few others, advanced 300 yards in front of our line and captured an enemy machine gun with its crew of five men. During a counter-attack he did splendid work, and personally accounted for many of the enemy" (London Gazette 30601/p3889, 26 March 1918).
  
  Cpl Scarth won his DCM for work at Passchendaele (52nd Bn War Diary, December 1917, Appendix 2).
  
  
• Senkoski, Benjamin, Pte, 439884¹
  "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and determination in carrying a message under very heavy fire" (LG 29940/p37, 13 February 1917).
  
  
• Sharp, H, Sgt, 925067
  "On 15th August, 1918, during the attack and capture of Damery, when it was seen that another platoon, who were in the open, should be reinforced, he took some of his men to the support of the platoon, working them through rifle and machine-gun fire without casualties. The aid given by his promptness was invaluable at this moment. When an officer was badly wounded close by he helped to get him in under heavy machine-gun fire. Throughout the day he showed great coolness, courage and leadership" (LG 31128/p37, 14 January 1919).
  
  
• Sprules, A S, Sgt, 690542
  "He served continuously with the battalion during 1917 throughout Vimy, Avion and Passchendaele, and was wounded at Passchendaele. His work has been particulary good throughout, being distinguished in every action by his gallant conduct" (LG 31819/p120, 09 March 1920).
  
  
• Strong, J W, Sgt, 13 February 1917
  
  
• Sutherland, John Hamilton, Pte, 907581
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Bois-de-Vert on 27th August, 1918. On his own initiative he took charge of his platoon, and organised it in defence against a counter-attack. During a withdrawl he remained in charge of a bombing post, under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, preventing the platoon from being outflanked" (LG 31726/p51, 09 January 1920).
  
  
• Tackaberry, Harold Harrison, Sgt, 151935
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Bois-de-Vert on 28th August, 1918. When his platoon commander became a casualty he took charge and led it to its objective, capturing seventy prisoners and some machine guns. He then with two men worked forward and rushed a strong point, capturing the garrison of fifteen. The following day, as senior N.C.O., he assisted in reorganising his company" (LG 31726/p51, 09 January 1920).
  
  
• Vipond, Howard Cameron, Sgt (A/CSM), 438919
  "For courage and devotion to duty over the whole period that he has been in France, from February, 1916, to October, 1918. After the Cambrai fighting, when casualties were very heavy, he took over the duty of battalion sergeant-major and rendered invaluable service" (LG 31819/p121, 09 March 1920).
  
  
• White, F A, Cpl, 438245
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has at all times under fire set a splendid example" (LG 29940/p37, 13 February 1917).

¹ Senkoski's name is spelled, "Sankoske" in the London Gazette.