Hammer

£1,000

WW1 8th (Pontefact) Bn York & Lancashire Regiment DCM, Italian Croce de Guerra Group of Five Medals.

Awarded to Warrant Officer Thomas Blockley DCM. Comprising:Distinguished Conduct Medal, “16998 SJT T. BLOCKLEY 8/ Y & L R”, 1914/15 Star, “CPL YORK & LANC R”, British War Medal, Victory Medal “WO CL 2 Y&L R”, Italian Croce di Guerra. Group mounted for display.

Distinguished Conduct Medal London Gazette 26th July 1917.“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst in charge of a working party he showed great coolness and courage under heavy shell fire. During which he was wounded in several places and buried twice. Notwithstanding this he carried on with his work and then skillfully withdrew his party”. Italian Croce de Guerra London Gazette 17th May 1919.Warrant Officer Thomas Blockley DCM was a native of Melbourne Derbyshire volunteered to serve with the 8th Bn York & Lancs Regiment and landed in France on the 27th August 1915. The action resulting in the award of the DCM is believed to have taken place during the Battle of Messines. The Battalion served on the Western Front before transferring to the Italian front in November 1917 as part of the 23rd Division. He was discharged on the 15th April 1917.This combination of the D.C.M. and Italian War Cross is unique to the Battalion.