Sergeant William R. Walker DCM - of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment NZEF was recommended for a "Distinguished Conduct Medal"  (DCM) for "Conspicuous Gallantry & Devotion to Duty" in November 1917 - one month before he died of wounds, on 20 December 1917, at Belgium.

The Citation for the award, of the DCM, appeared in an "Extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette dated 26 March 1918".

The article read:

"His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL to the under-mentioned Non-Commissioned Officer for gallantry & distinguished service in the field".

The Citation for Sergeant William R. Walker's Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) read :

"23/1861 Sergeant W.R Walker of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment :-

For conspicuous gallantry & devotion to duty when in command of a platoon in an isolated trench when a party of the enemy, about 50 strong, attempted a raid. He showed great tactical ability in bringing a Lewis Gun to bear upon the threatened flank covering it with a section of bombers and caught the raiders with enfilade fire and decimating them.

Sergeant Walker died of wounds on the 20 December 1917"

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL - History.

The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was instituted in 1854 and is the oldest British award for Gallantry. It was awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers, and other ranks, of the Army for distinguished conduct in the field:

525 Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to New Zealanders - between 1899 & 1970.

In 1993 The Distinguished Conduct Medal was replaced in the United Kingdom with the "Conspicuous Gallantry Cross".

The DCM is no longer awarded to New Zealanders since the introduction of New Zealand's own system of Gallantry & Bravery awards in 1999.

Ref: New Zealand Defence Force : "British Commonwealth Gallantry, Meritorius & Distinguished Service Awards" : NZdefence.govt.nz

For further information about New Zealanders who have been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) refer to : "The Complete NZ Distinguished Conduct Medal" (Author : Alan J. Polaschek).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett