DIED WOUNDS 1918 WW1 DCM MEDALS 11663 JABEZ KENDALL WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT

Offered is a pre-War veteran's 'Cambrai 1917' D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant J. Kendall, 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, late 1st Battalion, whose bravery in leading his working party against a German breakthrough won him plaudits only for him to die of wounds on 25 October 1918 less than three weeks before the Armistice. Kendall had truly served his country, having been wounded three times and gassed twice before finally succumbing to wounds received.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (G.V.), impressed named 11663 CPL. J. KENDALL. 4/WORC.R.; 1914 Star, impressed named 11663 PTE J. KENDALL. 1/WORC:R.; British War and Victory Medals (1914 – 18), impressed named 11663 SJT. J. KENDALL. WORC.R. Swing mounted and comes with copies of M.I.C., medal rolls, citations, unit histories, newspaper article and research.

Distinguished Conduct Medal, London Gazette 1/5/1918:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was working with a fatigue party behind the lines when the enemy broke through. Collecting a party of twenty men, he kept the enemy at bay with rifle fire, until reinforced some hours later. He then led his men forward in a counterattack, drove the enemy out, dug and consolidated the position and held it until relieved. His skilful leadership and fine display of initiative undoubtedly saved a critical situation.'

Sergeant Jabez Kendall was born in April 1888, the son of Hebert and Ellen Kendall of 26 York Road, Bromsgrove. He enlisted into the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment about 1907 with the service No 11663. In the trooping season of 1912/1913, the 1st and 2nd Battalions exchanged roles, the 2nd Battalion coming home from India and the 1st Battalion proceeding overseas to Egypt. The battalion passed two pleasant years in Egypt of which the most notable events of military importance included minor riots at Alexandria, the organisation and training of successive Camel Corps troops at the Central School in Cairo, and the manoeuvres of the little British Army of Occupation in heat and dust across the desert near the Pyramids.

At the outbreak of the war the battalion was in Cairo. It returned to England, landing at Liverpool 16/10/1914. It came under command of 24th Brigade in 8th Division and landed at Le Havre 6/11/1914.

He landed in Farnce with the 1st Battalion on the 6/11/1914 and saw heavy fighting with the battalion. Newspaper accounts state that he was wounded three times and gassed twice.

On 14/11/1914 the 1st Battalion went into the trenches facing Neuve Chapelle. There after dark the battalion relieved the 1st Royal Scots. The relief was made difficult by heavy enemy fire, and not until the dawn was it possible adequately to take stock of the position. The position held by the battalion was both uncomfortable and dangerous. At dawn, the enemy's heavy howitzers bombarded the battalion's line and before nightfall they suffered some thirty casualties.

Through the next four days and nights, they were under intermittent shellfire and continuous rain. The constant cold drizzle and frost was an extra misery for men fresh from the dry heat of Egypt. After being relieved in a snowstorm and marching back to billets it was found that one man in every four was helpless with frost-bitten hands or feet. Of one platoon, only thirteen men were able to stand. The battalion rotated in and out of the trenches at that location and by the middle of December the Battalion had lost half its strength with over a hundred killed and wounded and more than four hundred disabled by severe frostbite.

Kendall was transferred to the 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at an unknown date probably on account of being wounded, serving initially as a Corporal and later as a Sergeant. He served with the 4th at Gallipoli being evacuated with dysentery. The 4th served at Gallipoli Landing at Cape Helles on 25/4/1915 and evacuating in January 1916 back to Egypt.

He deployed to France probably in March 1916 when the 1st Battalion landed at Marseilles.

The battalion saw some serious fighting over the next two years including: Beaumont Hamel, Ypres, Somme, Arras, and Cambrai to name a few.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Cambrai on 30/11/1917.

The newspaper article states that he was dangerously wounded at Gheluvelt on 19/10/1918. The battalion had successfully taken Gheluvelt after a stiff fight with the battalion taking about 50% casualties, but this occurred at the end of September 1918. On 14/10/1918 the battalion took part in an attack near Ledeghem, suffering 1 officer killed, 1 died of wounds, and 3 wounded (including Capt E.F. BENNETT V.C, M.C.). 11 men killed, 82 wounded, 28 missing. The war diary for the 19th October records that H.Q. came under artillery fire but does not mention any casualties. It is probable that he was wounded on the 14th rather than the 19th.

Kendall was wounded in both legs and received treatment at 31st Ambulance Train, but the severity of the wounds resulted in his legs being amputated. Despite this last-ditch attempt to save him Kendal died on 25/10/1918 and is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Boulogne

A sad end to an ‘Old Contemptable’ who fought in the desperate days of 1914, Gallipoli, Ypres and the Somme only to die withing sight of the end of the war.