A Great War 'Fontaine Les Croisilles, June 1917' D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant J....

A Great War ‘Fontaine Les Croisilles, June 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant J. G. Stephenson, 12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (18-1382 Sjt: J. G. Stephenson. 12/Nth’d: Fus:); Queen’s Mediterranean 1899-1902 (4724 Corpl: J. G. Stephenson. North’d Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (18-1382 W.O. Cl. 2. J. G. Stephenson. North’d Fus.) naming officially re-impressed on these two, a little polished otherwise nearly very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 25 August 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in collecting the survivors of two platoons and leading them through the heaviest machine gun and rifle fire to the enemy trench. Although isolated and attacked on all sides by overwhelming forces, he held his own for over two hours, when he successfully withdrew with the two surviving men, both of whom were wounded.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Near Fontaine Les Croisilles, 16 June 1917.’ John George Stephenson served in the 5th (Militia) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers during the Boer War whilst on Prisoner of War duties. At some point he enlisted into the Army for service during the Great War. He won the D.C.M. for work done on the night of 16 June 1917, when the battalion lost 2 officers and 54 other ranks. Besides Stephenson’s D.C.M. there were three other awards for this same action, a Lieutenant being awarded the D.S.O., a Captain with a Bar to his M.C., and a Major awarded the M.C., the ribbons being presented in the field on 16 July 1917. When he returned home to Gateshead he was photographed wearing his D.C.M. and Queen’s Mediterranean Medal, believed to be a unique combination to the Regiment. Sold with copied portrait photograph and related copied research.