9 Sergeants   

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Eight Sergeants

Sergeant 1:- Judging by the ribbon on his breast pocket this soldier is the holder of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Awarded to ranks of Non-Commissioned Officers and below for "Distinguished Conduct in the Field", he is the first of five sergeants amongst this group to be decorated for bravey.

Sergeant 2 :- No medals on this lad that I can see, just a look of steely determination that would make him a loyal comrade and fierce adversary.

Sergeant 3:- Another brave man who at this stage of the Great War is yet to be decorated. A face full of pride, in himself and his comrades.

Sergeant 4:- Wearing the ribbon for the Military Medal above his left breast pocket, this Sergeant, pipe in hand sports 3 wound stripes on the left sleeve of his tunic jacket.

Sergeant 5:- Wearing the insignia of a Warrant Officer, this Sergeant Major displays the ribbon of the Military Medal on his left breast pocket. Like the Sergeant before him he too, has 3 wound stripes on the left sleeve of his tunic.

Sergeant 6:- Pipe smoking Warrant officer. Does not at this stage display any medal ribbons. There is at least one wound stripe visible on his left sleeve just below his insignia.

Sergeant 7:- I get the impression from this picture that this chap is the youngest of the group, and his expression suggests he likes a bit of fun too. No medal ribbons that are visible.

Sergeant 8:- Sporting two medal ribbons, one of which is readily identifiable as the Military Medal, I struggle to identify the other. What is astonishing about this fellow is the four wound stripes he displays on his tunic sleeve.

Recognise any of these men?

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Distinguished Conduct Medal

The DCM was instituted in 1854 to recognise "distinguished, gallant and good conduct" by troops in the Crimea. All DCMs are issued named to the recipient, usually with impressed details around the medal's rim.

Nearly 25,000 DCMs were issued during World War I, compared to 1,900 for acts during World War II. The majority of World War I DCMs have citations in the London Gazette. Since 1939, DCMs are listed in the London Gazette but don't have citations.

Full details of DCMs awarded up to 1914 can be found in the book "The Distinguished Conduct Medal" by P.E. Abbott, published by J.B. Hayward & Son. DCMs awarded during World War I can be found in a similar publication by R.W. Walker, but no citations are provided.

Contrary to what may be implied by the term "Distinguished Conduct ..." it should be remembered that this medal was, for NCOs and other ranks, second only to the Victoria Cross.

Following the 1993 review this medal has been replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

Military Medal

The MM was instituted in March 1916 as an award for non-officer rank of the Army for acts of bravery. In the First World War the MM was awarded to a few recipients from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Some RAF personnel were awarded the MM during World War II. All MMs are issued named with the recipient's details impressed around the medal's rim.

During World War I, 115,000 MMs were awarded, with 5,800 first bars and 180 second bars. There was 1 award of the MM and 3 bars. World War II saw the award  of 15,000 MMs with 164 first bars and 2 second bars.

Although all MMs awarded are listed in the London Gazette, the First World War MMs don't have citations. The Second World War MMs generally do have citations.

Following the 1993 review this medal has been replaced by the Military Cross, which is now available to all ranks.