No.9827, Regimental Sgt Major, Cecil Edward METCALF D.C.M. and bar ,
Aged 39
2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
formerly 4505, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Thursday, 18th July 1918
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Born in 1879 (1st qtr 1880 Bury St.Edmunds 4a:612)at 2 Reeds Buildings, Chalk Lane, Bury St.Edmunds, son of Alfred Albert and Elizabeth METCALFE(née PALMER). Baptised at St.James, Bury St.Edmunds on 15th August 1880
1881 census...Aged 1 (as Edward), he was at 2 Reeds Buildings, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Alfred METCALFE [39] brewer's labourer; his mother Elizabeth [30] born Woolpit; sister May [5] and brother Robert [3]. All except his mother born in Bury St.Edmunds. 1891 census...Aged 11, (now Cecil) he was at 85 Risbygate Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents |(mother now recorded as born Bury St.Edmunds); sisters Zina Mary [9] and Eveleyn [2]; brothers John Henry [7]and Maurer [5]. 1901 census...Aged 21, he was in the Army in South Africa. At 85 Risbygate were his parents (father now brewer, mother recorded as born Woolpit); sisters Nina M (domestic servant) and Evelyn; brother Maurice (machine fitter at iron works.) 1911 census...Aged 32, he was a Sergeant in 2nd battalion, West Riding regiment at Tidworth Barracks. At 85 Risbygate were his parents (father brewer's assistant, mother (recorded as born Woolpit); sister Evelyn ( assistant teacher). |
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The clasps to his Queens South Africa medal are for Johannesburg, Cape Colony and Orange Free state, and for his Kings South Africa medal are South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.
The citation for his Distinguished Conduct medal, gazetted 8th June 1915:- His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men, for acts of gallantry and devotion to Duty... 9827 Serjeant Drummer (Acting Company Serjeant-Major) Metcalfe, C. E., Depot, West Riding Regiment (attached 2nd Battalion) For conspicuous gallantry, ability, and resource, on 8th November 1914, at Ypres. When our attack had failed, and all the officers had fallen, lie took charge of the company and counter-attacked the enemy with complete success—he was himself wounded. The citation for the bar to that medal, gazetted 25th September 1916 The undermentioned have been awarded a Bar to their Distinguished Conduct Medals for subsequent acts of conspicuous bravery... 9827 C./S./M. C. E. Metcalfe, W. Rid. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. Though wounded, he refused to leave the line, and continued to carry out his duties most ably. During the following nine days, while holding the front line trenches, he rendered invaluable assistance in reorganising the battalion. He set a splendid example to all ranks {It is thought this was 1st July 1916, the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme} The Belgian Croix de Guerre 12th June 1918 War Office, 12th July, 1918. The following are among the Decorations and medals awarded by the Allied Powers at various dates to the British Forces for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign... Decorations conferred by His Majesty the King of the Belgians. Croix de Guerre.... 9827 Regimental Serjeant-Major Cecil Edward Metcalfe, West Riding Regiment (Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk). His medals, those actually shown above, were sold for £6,200 by Dix,Noonan,Webb in December 2010. The war diary for 18th July 1918 has 18th..The detachment of the battn taken out of the line for special training on 12th July carried out a very successful raid on PACAUT WOOD, 29 prisoners were taken and one machine gun captured and three destroyed. Our casualties were 5 killed, 25 wounded and 2 missing (know to be killed). Zero was 2:00 pm and the enemy retaliation barrage which consisted of shells of all calibres was put down at zero plus 5 minutes.
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