Beschreibung:

The Julian Johnson Collection A Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant Cyril Fort, 13th York and Lancaster Regiment, who, in clearing a strongly-held house, personally accounted for four of the enemy with his revolver Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13/309 Sjt. C. Fort. 13/York: & Lanc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (13-309 Sjt. C. Fort. York. & Lanc. R.); Belgian Military Decoration, with silver Palm and ribbon for gallantry; Belgian Croix de Guerre, together with bronze S.J.A.B. re-examination medal (260317 Cyril Fort), the first five mounted as worn, nearly very fine £800-1000 Footnote D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919: ‘On the night of 22 October, 1918, in front of Pecq, he was in charge of a section which was ordered to cross the River L’Escaut and establish a bridgehead on the Eastern side. This necessitated the clearing of a house strongly held by the enemy about 150 yards east of the river. Working round the flank he rushed the house and encountered a party of the enemy near the doorway. A short fight ensued, in which several casualties were inflicted on the enemy, he himself accounting for four with his revolver. At this point a number of the enemy who had been inside the house rushed out, forcing him to withdraw his men. Though wounded, he personally covered the withdrawal, and was the last to leave. He showed fine courage and did splendid work.’ Belgian Military Decoration London Gazette 24 October 1919. Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 2 December 1919.