A FINE AND VERY SCARCE NEW ZEALAND RIFLE BRIGADE 1916 TRENCH RAIDERS D.C.M. GROUP AWARDED TO A WARRANT OFFICER WHO WAS LATER INVALIDED DUE TO WOUNDS SUFFERED DURING THE BATTLE OF MESSINES, JUNE 1917

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL GV ’26-462 SJT: W. MCCONACHY 4/3 N.Z. RIF:BDE;’, BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS ‘26/462 W.O.2. W. MCCONACHY N.Z.E.F.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 13 February 1917. His original citation states:

"For conspicuous gallantry in action. He carried out several dangerous patrols prior to a raid and obtained most valuable information. Later, during the raid, he led his party with great gallantry."

Rifleman Walter McConachy, a 22-year-old farm hand, originally from Scotland, enlisted into the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 12 October 1915, noting previous service in the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. Posted to B Company, 4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, he was promoted Lance Corporal on 18 December that year. Promoted Corporal 31 January 1916, he disembarked at Suez on 15 March 1916 and embarked for France on 7 April 1916. Promoted Sergeant, 14 September 1916, the day before the battalions first major offensive during the battle of the Somme at Flers-Courcelette.

McConahy was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 2 January 1917 for his gallantry for reconnoitring enemy positions prior to and during a trench raid on the night of 17/18 December 1916. During this raid “..2nd Lieut. Mollison with the second group pushed on down the communication trench to the support line, the redoubtable Sergeant McConachy leading…” (see official history) and was again promoted, this time to Company Sergeant Major (W.O. Class II) 31 March 1917

Company Sergeant Major McConahy was severely wounded in action during the Battle of Messines. 7/ June 1917, suffering a Gunshot wound to the left forearm and fractured radius. Initially treated in France, he was sent to England before ultimately being repatriated to New Zealand in April 1918.

The Official History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, where McConachy is mentioned a couple of times, can be found here:
https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH1-NZRi-t1-front-d6.html

Condition NEF. Sold with Silver Wound Badge numbered NZ30416, pin mounting reaffixed, his silver Returned Services Association Lapel Badge "55", numbered 26/462, NZ Rifle Brigade badge and D.C.M. Ribbon Bar. Also copy service papers. Group mounted in card display frame but can be removed if wished.

A scarce D.C.M. group with a fine citation, one of just 398 D.C,M.’s awarded to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during WW1.