A Great War Western Front 1915 'Bombing operations' D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant...

A Great War Western Front 1915 ‘Bombing operations’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant W. E. Evans, Coldstream Guards, who was afterwards killed in action on 16 October 1917, at the battle of Mahiwa, German East Africa Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9823 Sjt: W. E. Evans. 1/C. Gds.); 1914-15 Star (9823 L. Cpl. W. E. Evans. C. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (9823 Sjt. W. E. Evans. C. Gds.) together with Memorial Plaque (William Ernest Evans), medals mounted on card for display, good very fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry. He has several times by zeal and enterprise carried out successful bombing operations against the enemy, and has three times, as bombing instructor, saved men’s lives by throwing away bombs which have been accidentally dropped. He has been severely wounded in the execution of his duties.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Richebourg March 1915. Cuinchy June [1915], Vermelles Cambrin, July 1915.’ William Ernest Evans was born in Derby in October 1893 and was working as a cotton weaver when he attested for the 3rd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment at Burnley in October 1910. He transferred to the Coldstream Guards at Caterham on 2 November 1912, and was promoted Lance-Corporal on 22 September 1913. Upon the outbreak of the War in 1914, he was posted to the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards in France from 22 December 1914. He was appointed Acting Corporal in February 1915, Acting Lance-Sergeant in March 1915, and promoted to Sergeant only four days later. On 1 July 1915, he sustained an accidental bomb wound to the left hand, one of three wounds he sustained in the field. He was awarded the D.C.M. for his work in 1915 with bombing parties and as a bombing instructor. On 6 May 1916, he was posted to the 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards, in England as a bombing instructor and, on 25 October 1916, he was attached to the West African Frontier Force for service in German East Africa. It was whilst serving with the 4th Nigerian Regiment that he was killed in action at the battle of Mahiwa in German East Africa on 16 October 1917. Originally buried in the Mtama cemetery in Lindi Province, the graves from this and other remote cemeteries were consolidated in the Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery during the 1960s and ‘70s. Sold with original memorial scroll (Serjt. William Ernest Evans, D.C.M. Coldstream Guards), and two Coldstream Guards cards regarding Evans’ service, together with copied research.