Deeds of Heroes: The Story of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1854–1993

Matthew Richardson

May 2012 · Casemate Publishers

About this ebook

For over 100 years the Distinguished Conduct Medal the DCM—was the second highest medal that could be awarded for gallantry to the other ranks of the British army—in some cases also the RAF and Royal Navy, yet the holders of this major award have rarely been given the recognition they deserve. While the heroic exploits of recipients of the Victoria Cross have been the subject of repeated accounts, DCM holders have largely been ignored in print. But now in this graphic narrative history Matthew Richardson sets the record straight by describing the conspicuous courage of men who have been awarded the DCM in the Crimean and the colonial wars, in the two world wars, and during recent conflicts in the Falklands and the Gulf. Told often in their own words, their extraordinary stories of bravery and self-sacrifice are the central focus of his book.

About the author

Matthew Richardson is Curator of Social History at Manx National Heritage. He has a long term interest in military history, in particular the First and Second World Wars. This is his eleventh book for Pen and Sword, and is the culmination of many years of study and research into the role of the Isle of Man between 1939 and 1945\. He is fortunate enough to have met and spoken with many of the contributors whose words appear in this book.