Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A Great War D.C.M. and M.M. part-group of four to Corporal Frank Hemington, Royal Fusiliers: Distinguished Conduct Medal, George V (2825 L. CPL F. HEMINGTON. M.M. 23/R. FUS:); Military Medal, George V (G 2825 PTE F. HEMINGTON. 23/R. FUS:); British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal (GS-2825 CPL. F. HEMMINGTON. R. FUS.); display mounted, 1914-15 Star not present, all with some edge bruising, smoothing, and abrasion, near very fine to very fine. [4]

D.C.M.London Gazette: 30/10/1918
M.M. London Gazette 13/3/1918

Frank Hemington (or Hemmington - these spellings appear interchangeably in the sources) was born in Winchmore Hill in 1893. He entered France in December 1914 with the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, and later transferred to the 23rd (Service) Battalion (First Sportsman's).

The deed that likely resulted in the award of the M.M. is described in Fred. W. West, 'The 23rd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (First Sportsman's) - A Record of its Services in the Great War'. German snipers were sheltering in a derelict tank near Bourlon Wood, and on the 1st of December 1917 Private Hemington, together with an NCO, approached the tank under heavy fire and killed the occupants with Mills' bombs.

Hemington's D.C.M. deed took place at Ayette on the 26th of June 1918, on which day the 23rd Royal Fusiliers War Diary notes "At 2.am...."B" Coy carried out a Raid on Enemy Front line". The citation states that Hemington "...early assumed command of the raiding party and led them successfully..He set a fine example of courage and good leadership".