An extremely rare WW2 Italian Front Distinguished Conduct Medal group to Cpl Constable Kings Liverpool Regt

G.VI.R. Distinguished Conduct Medal, correctly impressed 3443249 A.Cpl A. L. G. Constable. The King’s R

1939/45 Star

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal

G.VI.R. Long Service Good Conduct Medal ‘ Regular Army’, correctly impressed 3443249 Cpl A. L. G. Constable. D.C.M. Kings.

Mounted for display.

Condition GVF.

Arthur Lawrence George Constable was a native of Carshalton, Surrey. A member of the 2^nd Bn and a stretcher bearer, he was awarded the DCM while in charge of the company stretcher bearers. His award was announce din the London Gazette on the 19^th of April 1945 and is one of only 9 DCM’s awarded to the Kings in the Second World War.

The original citations is as follows;

‘Cpl Constable has served as a stretcher bearer in all the actions the battalion has fought in Italy. At all times he has shown the highest courage and devotion to duty. His leadership of the other Company stretcher bearers has always been exemplary, and his conduct throughout has been far in excess of his duty. When casualties occurred, this NCO has gone immediately without hesitation and brought them into safety. He has always shown complete disregard for his own personal safety and there is no doubt that the high state of morale and willingness in which the men of his company have gone forward into the attack has been due to a large extent to the men’s confidence in the Company stretcher bearers.

On 9 May 1944 when the battalion was in a concentration area behind MONTE TROCCHIO as a report was received by his Company that a young officer of another unit was lying on the side of the mountain with his foot blown off by an ‘S’ Mine. Although the mountain side was strewn with mines Corporal Constable without hesitation moved straight up to where the officer was alone, and then organised the evacuation of the officer from the mine field. During the crossing of the river GARI on the night of 11/12 May 1944 Corporal Constable worked for 36 hours without rest and food, rescuing many wounded from both banks of the river. The area was constantly under extremely heavy and concentrated shell fire. Cpl Constable waled about between the wounded quite oblivious to any danger. His example on this occasion was an example to all ranks of the battalion.

On 26 June 1944 the battalion attacked GIOLELIA, the company was in reserve and while concentrating behind LOPI was subject to heavy concentration of artillery fire. The CSM was killed and many of the company wounded. Again Cpl Constable’s conduct in evacuating the wounded under this shell fire was exemplary. The NCO’s magnificent example and steadfast devotion to duty have been a source of encouragement and inspiration to confidence for all ranks of the Battalion’.