Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Great War ‘Italian theatre’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant A. Wanklin, 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, who was killed in action in France at the battle of Beaurevoir on 5 October 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (240026 Sjt: A. Wanklin. 1/8 Worc: R.); 1914-15 Star (545 L. Sjt. A. Wanklin. Worc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (545 Sjt. A. Wanklin. Worc. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (545 Pte. A. Wanklin. 8/Worc: Regt.) together with Memorial Plaque (Albert Wanklin) nearly extremely fine (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918 [Italy]; citation published 21 October 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and consistent ability on many occasions when in command of his platoon in action. He has always volunteered for patrols, and his courage, cheerfulness and fine example have had a most inspiring effect on all with him.’ Albert Wanklin was born in 1883 at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. As a pre-war territorial, he had been awarded the T.F.E.M. on 1 July 1913, under Army Order 234, which indicates that he had already completed 12 years service. He was living at Sidemoor, Bromsgrove, and was employed as a wagon repairer for the Midland Railway at Bromsgrove. He landed at Boulogne, France, with the 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, on 1 April 1915. His regimental number was changed to 240026 upon the re-numbering of all territorial units in 1917; his new number is amongst a batch used for the 1/6th Reserve Bn. and that may indicate that he was in England recuperating from wounds at that time. Local newspaper sources make mention of him having been gassed around 1916. The 1/8th Battalion moved to the Italian theatre of war in November 1917 but did not move into the active sector until January 1918, and not into the front line until late April. The battalion took part in the successful action on the Asiago Plateau on 14 June when the Austrians were driven out of the British trenches they had captured the previous day, the 1/8th Battalion pursuing the Austrians back to their own trenches near Canove and bringing back some captured mountain guns, machine-guns and 160 prisoners. During August 1918 the battalion took part in several successful trench raids and, in mid-September, entrained at Thiene for their return to France, where they arrived on the 17th. Sergeant Wanklin was killed in action on 5 October 1918, at Beaurevoir, whilst serving with “C” company, 1/8th Worcesters, the battalion’s final battle of the war. Although the village of Beaurevoir was captured, they suffered heavy casualties of 37 killed and 125 wounded, mainly the result of enfilading machine-gun fire. He is buried in Beaurevoir British Cemetery. Sold with copied medal cards, gazette notices, battalion war diary for date of death and account of action, and other copied research.