Distinguished Conduct Medal: 3325056 Fusilier John Edward MERCER, 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers

Discussion in 'Italy' started by peterfurness, Apr 26, 2024.

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  1. peterfurness

    peterfurness Junior Member

    Hello

    AM helping an elderly lady who has her fathers ww2 medals. He earned a distinguished conduct medal from anzio.

    All i know currently is that his name is john edward mercer 3325056 royal scots fusiliers.

    The lady doesnt have any information or the citation and is desperate to find out what he did to earn this medal.

    any help is greatly appreciated as she her dad never spoke about the medal and family sold it when she was little to help keep house going. though they do have a replica.

    (as a side note she has an original gazette with his name also appearing in the gazette is fighting jack churchill earning his bar to his distinguished service order)

    thanks for any help.
     
    peterfurness, Apr 26, 2024
    #1
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  2. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    You're lucky--it's a citation with witness reports.

    Screenshot 2024-04-27 at 1.06.01 AM.png Screenshot 2024-04-27 at 1.06.12 AM.png Screenshot 2024-04-27 at 1.06.20 AM.png Screenshot 2024-04-27 at 1.06.30 AM.png Screenshot 2024-04-27 at 1.06.39 AM.png Screenshot 2024-04-27 at 1.06.47 AM.png


    Better Quality File Attached
     

    Attached Files:

    Charley Fortnum, Apr 26, 2024
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    JimHerriot, Stuart Avery, 4jonboy and 3 others like this.
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Last edited: Apr 27, 2024
    dbf, Apr 26, 2024
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  4. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Well spotted.
     
    Charley Fortnum, Apr 26, 2024
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  5. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Not read all of the citation papers. Any reason why he was not awarded the VC? How many relevant officers had clocked what he did, and was able to give a account of his actions?

    It would be interesting to find out which bright-spark said he should only get the one below the VC?

    Poor chap in my eyes.

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2024
    Stuart Avery, Apr 29, 2024
    #5
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    The one I linked to is similar - recommended for VC, awarded DCM. The whole linked thread gives a better picture, you should read it if you have time. At least the examples found/posted show how much COs, comrades, etc must've thought of the awardees.

    Each award had a set of criteria, that much is apparent from the correspondence & discussions within WO 373 series as a whole. (Some were 'downgraded' as they were passed up the chain of command. Others I imagine went to the Medal Committee for further inspection. There are also examples of different type of awards being granted instead... BEMs, OBEs MBEs instead of DCM, MM, DSO, MCs etc.) In any case the people looking at the recommendations had a better oversight of what level had to be achieved than COs.

    Although I've found instructions on how to complete forms, to date I haven't found anything that sets out Committee procedures / Award criteria. I've never seen explanations attached to any 'downgraded awards'.


    DCM is the OR equivalent of an Officer's DSO. This man was a Fusilier, not even NCO. If he were a relative of mine, I'd be very proud indeed, whatever the eventual award.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2024
    dbf, Apr 29, 2024
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