WW1 BRITISH ARMY DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT GROUP & ITALIAN BRONZE MEDAL FOR VALOUR 74672 BOMBARDIER F.R.HOUCHIN

Description

Offered is a WW1 Royal Field Artillery ‘Passchendaele’ Distinguished Conduct Medal & Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour group of 5 to Bombardier Francis Houchin.

King George V Distinguished Conduct medal, impressed named 74672 GNR:-A.BMBR:-F.R.HOUCHIN. 134/BY. R.F.A.; Copy 1914 Star engraved named 74672 GNR: F.R.HOUCHIN R.F.A.; British War Medal & Victory Medal impressed named 74672 CPL.F.R.HOUCHIN. R.A. & Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour, un-named as issued. Medals court mounted for display and come with a period framed 4th Division card commending 74672 Bomb- F.R.Houchin. 134th Battery. R.F.A. Dated 22/10/17 and signed by Div Commander and a small pocket/fob watch clasp knife. Paperwork includes copies of medal index card, medal roll, DCM medal card, London Gazette DCM & Medal for Military Valour, Royal Artillery discharge record, 1911 Census, Trade union list & copy newspaper article Wounded in Action 1915. PDF 32nd Bde War Diary available on request.

Francis Raymond Houchin was born in 1889, at Crewe Cheshire. He enlisted into the regular Army on the 28/10/1913 to the Royal Artillery and his occupation is recorded as “Wagon Maker”.

He landed in France with the 15^th Brigade RFA. 5^th Division on the 19/8/1914. The 5^th Division was involved in the desperate fighting of 1914, including The Battle of Mons and subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines & The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. The Sheffield Daily Telegraph 15/6/1915 lists him as being wounded in action.

The nature or severity of the wound is unknown. It is possible that on recovering from his injuries he was posted to 134th Battery 32nd Brigade 4th  Division. His Divisional Gallantry Card is dated 22/10/1917 and it is believed this was issued prior to being nominated for the DCM incident. The diary records on the 31/10/15 ‘Heavy Gas casualties’ on the 27th and 134th, casualties approx. – 6 Officers (1 Killed) and 19 other ranks.

Houchin’s citation reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a gas shell wrecked the officers dug out and all the occupants became casualties, he showed great coolness and determination as one of the rescue party, working under heavy fire and in spite of gas fumes. On the following morning, though suffering from gas, he manned a gun with the only other man available and fired a bombardment program made out for the whole battery. His splendid courage and determination enabled the battery to remain in action and carry out its tasks during a most important period of the operations.”

For the same action, Lt. Henry James Ivens, R.F.A., Spec. Res. (WIA in the incident) MC citation reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a gas shell struck his dug-out, killing, wounding, or gassing all the occupants, he assisted in recovering the wounded and then went to the dressing station. While there his battery commander was brought in. Realising that no officer was left at the battery he re-joined it and took command until taken away in an unconscious condition. L.G. 25 APRIL, 1918.

The 32^nd Brigade War Diary records on the 24/11/1917 that he has been awarded the DCM. This was the 3^rd battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).

The war diary for this period is full of fire missions, receiving counter battery fire and gas attacks by the Germans. A hard fought campaign for not just the infantry.

He was also awarded the Italian Medal for Military Valour (Bronze) being gazetted in the London Gazette 12/9/1918. During WW1, 365 Silver & 954 Bronze awards were given to members of the Commonwealth forces.

He transferred to ‘B Class’ reserve on 27/11/1919. He was mobilised 11/1/1921 – 8/6/1921 to assist with the Miners Strike. The Royal Artillery records him as being discharged 27/10/1921.

The XXXII Brigade (32), Royal Field Artillery comprised of the 27th, 134th and 135th Batteries, and attached to 4th Infantry Division. In August 1914 it mobilised and was sent to the Continent with the British Expeditionary Force, where it saw service with 4th Division throughout the war. A howitzer battery was formed in May 1916, from a section of each of 86th (Howitzer) and 128th (Howitzer) Batteries, and designated D Battery. It was disbanded in January 1917 and replaced by 86th (Howitzer) Battery.

War Diary at National Archives. WO 95/1467 32 Brigade Royal Field Artillery 1914 Aug. – 1919 Jan.