Description
Distingushed Conduct Medal, GV, British War and Victory Medal (erased), 6487 Private Arthur Corlett, 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, mortally wounded in the assault on Mount Kemmel on 25-26th April 1918, he died the next day on 27th April and was posthumously awarded the D.C.M.
D.C.M. impressed: “6847 Pte A. Corlett. 11/Lan: Fus:”
B.W.M. impressed: “6487 Pte A. Corlett Lan Fus.”
Victory medal naming is erased.
D.C.M. announced in the London Gazette 3rd October 1918:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a counter attack. Seeing that the battalion on his right was held up by machine-guns. He took out a Lewis gun section and took up a position from which he brought flanking fire on the machine guns and compelled them to withdraw. He was wounded whilst taking up this position, but continued to encourage his men until accomplishing his object successfully, so enabling the next battalion to advance.”
Arthur Corlett was born in Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire during 1895, he joined his local regiment the Lancashire Fusiliers landing in France on 25th September 1915, he is additionally entitled to the 1914-15 Star.
During the attack on Mount Kemmel at the Battle of Lys on 25-26th April 1918, the battalion suffered 5 ranks killed, 3 officers and 30 ranks wounded, with 9 others missing.
Following his mortal wound in the inspiring acts of gallantry, he died the next day on 27th April 1918, being buried in the Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Ex DNW 5th December 2018, hammer price: £750 + premiums.