Scarce Distinguished Conduct Medal for Kut-al-Amara, Wounded during the siege of Kut and Mentioned in Despatches April 1916 and died as a Turkish Prisoner of War.

Description Scarce Distinguished Conduct Medal for Kut-al-Amara, Wounded during the siege of Kut and Mentioned in Despatches April 1916 and died as a Turkish Prisoner of War. Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V) 28772 Bmbr. G. Butterfield. 104/Hvy. Bty. R.G.A. Professionally framed. George Butterfield landed in “Asia” on the 24th January 1915.  His MIC confirms he was in receipt of a 1914-15 trio and the D.C.M. He was the son of Sarah and Daniel Butterfield of Luton road, Margate. He volunteered at the outbreak of the war having served previously in India and Mesopotamia, being wounded at Kut and then taken Prisoner by the Turks, later dying of his wounds whilst a POW. Six members of the Butterfield family served during the first world war. Distinguished Conduct Medal: London gazette 22nd January 1916: “28772 Bombadier G Butterfield, 104th (Heavy) Bty R.G.A. For conspicuous gallantry at Kut-al-Amara (Mesopotamia) on 28th September 1915 when he repaired telephone wires on several occasions under heavy shell and rifle fire.” Wounded 19th December 1915 (During the Siege of Kut) as reported by the Luton reported on 24th January 1918. Butterfield was also mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 5th April 1916. He died 14th September 1916 and is buried in Baghdad (Northgate) War cemetery, he was being held at the Adana Camp Boudjak, Anatolia and died in the camp hospital. Farndale says 104th was a four bullock drawn battery of 4 inch guns which was ordered to leave India for Basra in Jan 1915.  The were involved in blockading the Euphrates with two guns on a barge in March 1915. On 1st April 1915 they were part of the 2nd Indian Corps with one section garrisoned in Querna with the 17th Infantry Brigade and 86th Heavy Battery and another section at Kurmat Ali with the 66th Punjabis. At the end of July one section was at Al Gharbi on the Tigris with the 82nd Battery and the other section at Amara. On the 26th they were on barges with the 86th Heavy and then supported an attack by the 18thInfantry Brigade. The Battle of Es Sinn took place on 28th September 1915, during the Mesopotamian Campaign fought to determine control of the lower Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The engagement took place just south of the town of Kut-al-Amarah, along the banks of the Tigris River, following a night march, the British and Indian troops defeated the Ottoman forces, driving them from their defensive positions along the Tigris.  the capture of the Es Sinn position allowed the capture of Kut, and with it control over the lower Tigris and Euphrates rivers, by the British forces the following day. A section of the 104th battery under Major Farmer were taken prisoner by the Turks on the 29th April 1916 at Kut, which is probably when Butterfield was captured. The 104th were heavily involved in some serious fighting during 1915-16. Condition – GVF, a couple of small edge bruises and slight scratching. Because of the medal being framed we would prefer not to post this item, it can be collected from various medal fairs, such as Yate, Stratford, Britannia, the O.M.R.S. and O.M.R.S. North.  If you are willing to risk posting the frame, please contact us to obtain a postage cost, but it will be at your risk. NOTE: Sorry we cannot accept payment by PayPal for this item, We can accept payment by Credit / Debit Card, Bank Transfer or Cheque.