A fine 1914 Wulverghem Distinguished Conduct Medal group with Memorial Plaque, 2/W. Riding Regiment, recommended for the Victoria Cross for great and conspicuous gallantry in leaving his trench and under heavy machine gun fire and rescuing a badly wounded man within 40 yards of the German trenches. Mortally wounded 18 April, 1915 during the Battlion assault on Hill 60 Ypres, dying two days later.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (GV) (L.Sgt. 2/W. Rid. R.), 1914 Star & Bar (L. Sgt.), B.W.M., Victory (Cpl.), Delhi Durbar 1911 (engraved Pte. W. Riding R.), Memorial Plaque (Tom Hirst)

T. Hirst

D.C.M. L.G.  1/4/1915

‘For conspicuous gallantry at Wulverghem on 22 December, 1914, when he left his trench whilst exposed to heavy machine gun fire and rescued a badly wounded man in front of the enemy’s position which was only 40 yards distant. He has been noted for good service during the campaign.’

The Battalion War Diary

‘On the 22 December 1914 the 2nd battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment relieved the King’s  Own Scottish Borderers in the trenches two men killed and four wounded. Sergeant Hirst brought in a wounded man under very heavy fire and was rercommended for the VC.’

Mortally wounded in a Battalion attack on German positions, Hill 60,  18th April 1915, died two days later, gunshot wound to the spine and gun shot wound to the shoulder.

On the 11th of November 1914, the Germans launched a desperate attack to on Ypres and in the fighting 2nd Battalion almost eliminated the Fusilier battalion of the 2nd (Prussian) Guard Grenadier Regiment (4 Guard Brigade) whose casualties numbered 15 officers and 500 men. The 2nd Duke of Wellingtons lost 4 officers and men. On the 18th of April 1915, in a successful assault on the high ground at Hill 60, the Battalion suffered 421 casualties

Tom Hirst , born Harrogate , attested for the Regular Army from the 3rd Militia Battalion, West Riding R. 1903. Posted to the 1st battalion and transferred to the 2nd in 1912. Served in France from 7 September, 1914.

With copy service papers, War Diary extract, London Gazette entries, roll for Delhi Durbar.  Additional extensive Medical records and other are available online.

Outstanding DCM group