Distinguished Conduct Medal Group to 2845 Pte J Atherton 2/5 Lanc Fus / DCM for Arrowhead Copse

GV Distinguished Conduct Medal, correctly impressed 2845 Pte J Atherton 2/th Lanc Fus TF

1914/15 Star, correctly impressed 2845 Pte J Atherton 2/th Lanc Fus

British War Medal, correctly impressed 2845 Pte J Atherton 2/th Lanc Fus

Victory Medal, correctly impressed 2845 Pte J Atherton 2/th Lanc Fus

 

Condition NEF

 

John Atherton landed in France on the 4th of May, 1915. he was awarded the DCM for a deed which took place at Arrowhead Copse, close to Guillemont, between 31st July 1916 and 5th August 1916. The regimental history of the Lancashire Fusiliers notes;

 

'A much less comfortable minden day was spent by the 2nd / 5th Battalion, which from the 31st July to August 5th endured many outbursts of heavy shelling in the line near Arrow Head Copse, close to Guillemont. This tour of duty is, however, remarkable for the several acts of gallantry by non-commissioned officers and men. A signaller, Private J Atherton, earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal by repeatedly and on his own initiative going across the open under heavy fire in order to repair the only telephone line which was working in the brigade and to arrange lamp signalling with a neighbouring battalion.' 

 

The DCMm was gazetted on the 20th of October 1916; the citation is as follows;

 

'For conspicuous gallantry during operations. When telephone lines were cut, and, owing to smoke from bursting shells, visual signalling was impossible, he went out and repaired the broken wire in two places'. 

 

Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse VC & Bar, MC won his first Victoria Cross around Arrowhead Copse during this period.