Reuben J. Melhuish DCM and BAR

REUBEN J. MELHUISH - DCM and BAR

Soldiers in the 1914 - 1918 war were eligible for the following awards:

1. FOR GALLANTRY on the battlefield:

The Victoria Cross - for supreme acts of bravery regardless of rank

The Distinguished Conduct Medal or DCM - awarded to Warrant Officers, NCOs and Other Ranks.

The Military Cross or MC - awarded to officers below the rank of Captain and some Warrant Officers

The Military Medal or MM - awarded to Warrant Officers, NCOs, Other Ranks and women)

2. FOR GALLANTRY and/or SERVICE:

The Distinguished Service Order or DSO awarded to officers above the rank of Major.

3. FOR SERVICE and/or GALLANTRY off the battlefield

The Meritorious Service Medal or MSM

4. MENTION IN DESPATCHES

No medal was awarded but a certificate was issued plus an oak leaf emblem which was worn on the ribbon of the Victory Medal.

Subsequent awards of the same medal are referred to as BARS because the recipient is issued with a small metal bar to wear on the ribbon of the original medal.

The award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to 13263 Sergeant Reuben John Melhuish of the 9th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment was gazetted 11 March 1916 and his citation for this award was published at the same time. On 27 July 1916, he was awarded a clasp to his DCM and his second citation was published on that date. He was aged 29 at this time.

Reuben John Melhuish was the son of Reuben, a builder's labourer, and Mary Ann Melhuish of Plymouth. He was born in the March Quarter of 1887. He died of wounds received in action on 2 August 1916.

From The London Gazette

11 March 1916

(The original DCM)

SERGEANT REUBEN MELHUISH

"For conspicuous gallantry; he assisted in bandaging several wounded men under fire. He also brought in a wounded officer safely in spite of his bearer party sustaining two casualties."

From The London Gazette

27 July 1916

(Bar to his previous DCM)

SERGEANT REUBEN MELHUISH

"For conspicuous gallantry during an attack. When the Bombing Officer became a casualty, he organised the supply of bombs and led a bombing attack which accounted for many of the enemy. He set a fine example to his men."