Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant Major D. Carroll, 7th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who distinguished himself at Passchendaele Ridge, 26/27 December 1917, and was taken prisoner of war the following year Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7575 Sjt: D. Carroll. 7/Rif: Bde:) surname partially officially corrected; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (7575 Pte D. Carroll. Rifle Brigade.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (7575 L. Cpl D. Carroll. 3/Rif: Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (7575 W.O. Cl. 2. D. Carroll. Rif. Brig.) BWM named to ‘II’ rather than ‘2’, and ‘Carrol’, generally very fine (5) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 28 March 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy opened a heavy bombardment during a relief he repeatedly went out into the open under intense fire to assist the relieving troops in finding their positions. He showed the greatest coolness, courage, and initiative, and was the means of preventing many casualties.’ Daniel Carroll was born in North Shields, Northumberland. He attested for the Rifle Brigade at Gosport in February 1900. Carroll served with the 4th Battalion in South Africa, December 1901 - February 1903. He served during the Great War with the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade in the French theatre of war from 10 September 1914. Carroll transferred to the 7th (Service) Battalion in September 1915, and advanced to Sergeant in August 1916. The Battalion moved into the front line at Passchendaele at the start of December 1917, and Carroll distinguished himself at Passchendaele Ridge 26/27 December 1917. On the latter night, in heavy snow, the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were to relieve Carroll’s Battalion. The Worcesters were ‘observed by the enemy who put down a heavy barrage. Thanks to initiative and coolness of the Battn. guides the casualties amongst the relieving Battn. were comparatively light.’ (Battalion War Diary refers). Carroll was taken prisoner of war in 1918, and interned at Giessen, near Frankfurt. He was discharged 22 March 1919, and 19 years and 32 days service.