An interesting book that I finished recently is called "Our Harry's War" by Harry Morgan (Rydan Publishing ISBN 0-9542193-0-9) which are the recollections of Private Morgan who volunteered for service in 1914 and served with the 1st, 11th and 2/7th Battalions of the Royal Warwicks.
The book provides some interesting details, and the author was injured several times (resulting in him serving in three battalions). His five brothers also served in the army in various units and were fortunate to all return. Morgan also had two brother-in-laws who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (one of whom was a POW) and these were known as the 'Scotch Brummies'.
Several parts of the story are connected to medals, there is a picture of Morgan's 1914 star trio, and a picture of him during the war on leave in Birmingham wearing his 1914 star. However, one story caught my imagination, this was the story of Sergeant De Ste Croix.
I guess it was the name that stood-out, and after reading the story I checked his Medal Index Card (MIC) and was surprised to find that Sidney Alfred De Ste Croix was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal in World War One.
Morgan tells the story that he was sent on patrol in December 1915 while with the 11th battalion and he was taken with the Battalion Bombing Sergeant (grenade use was still a specialist activity at this point of the war) to clear a German barricade. Morgan describes De Ste Croix as 'incredibly brave' and recalls the words of advice that he was given.
I've researched De Ste Croix a little, sadly his service records do not exist, however his DCM citation is available and reads:
"For conspicuous gallantry and skill on patrol. On one occasion with only two men he drove off, with bombs, a large enemy working party. On another occasion he led a party of four men and destroyed with bombs, under heavy fire, some loop-holes in an enemy emplacement."
The DCM gazette is 9 July 1917 and the MM 3 June 1916.
De Ste Croix was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 19 October 1918 in the Machine Gun Corps and left the army in 1919.
There is no record of the man before 1914, he married Mable Hamon in 1919 in Lewisham, London and from this we know his father was James Charles De Ste Croix. From this wedding I understand he was born in 1891 or 1892, but there are no records of him or his father other than this.
The name De Ste Croix is, of course, Norman, and is more often found on the Channel Islands. I would like to find out more about Sidney De Ste Croix and to know if his medals (DCM, MM, 1914-15 star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) still exist somewhere.
RIP Sidney De Ste Croix
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