A Good & Rare WW1 'Battle of Cambrai & WIA' Military Cross, & 'Hindenburg Line' 2nd Award Bar M.C, Double M.I.D Medal Group to Lieutenant C.V. Dipnall, Royal Field Artillery.

Charles Vogan Dipnall was born on the 7th June 1888 at Depwade, Norfolk.

Prior to joining the ranks of the Royal Field Artillery, he was employed as a Clerk in Romford, Essex. He enlisted on the 16th February 1909, joining the 3rd London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Soon after the outbreak of WW1, Charles disembarked France on the 1st May 1915 with the 504th Battery, 65th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, serving as 93883 Cpl C.V. Dipnall (previously 595 Pte). He was soon to receive his first ‘Mention in Despatches’ - London Gazette - 1st January 1916 refers.

Charles was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 13th October 1916, whilst serving with the 504th Battery, and he went on to receive another ‘Mention in Despatches’ as a Lieutenant with the Royal Field Artillery - London Gazette 11th December 1917 refers, and then he was awarded his first Military Cross during the Battle of Cambrai and was wounded in action during the fighting. The London Gazette citation reads as follows -

‘2nd Lt. Charles Vogan Dipnall, R.F.A. (Spec. Res) For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When ammunition was being delivered, the battery was heavily shelled, and several men and horses became casualties. He got the horses clear and dressed and attended the wounded under shell fire, practically without shelter. Whilst having them removed he was wounded but succeeded in getting them to a place of safety.’ London Gazette - 25th April 1918 refers.

Charles was to receive a second award bar to his Military Cross, one of only 2,983 such awards during WW1 for the Military Cross for his actions during the ‘Hundred Days Offensive’ / ‘Hindenburg Line’ Offensive. The London Gazette citation reads as follows -

‘Lt Charles Vogan Dipnall, M.C., R.F.A., Spec Res, Attd 504th Bty, 65th Bde. On night of 22nd/23rd October. 1918, he displayed great pluck and gallantry in getting up ammunition to battery position, east of Le Cateau. The battery and route leading to it were continously under very hostile shell fire, and it was largely due to the untiring energy and encouragement given to the men under him that the ammunition was got up’ - London Gazette - 10th December 1919 refers.

Charles survived the war and and went back to his clerical work, and he passed away on 24th December 1972, at Colchester, Essex.

The medals are mounted for display, sold with the three original ‘slightly squashed’ named boxes of issue for the WW1 medal trio (the original 1914/15 Star is missing, presumed lost, and replaced by an original neatly erased 1914/15 Star. The original Star was named 93883 CPL. C.V. DIPNALL, R.F.A.), copied research confirming all of the above, and are as follows -

G.V. Military Cross, 2nd award bar, unnamed as issued; 1914/15 Star, neatly erased original; British War Medal, LIEUT. C.V. DIPNALL.; Victory Medal, with M.I.D. oakleaf, LIEUT. C.V. DIPNALL.

Condition, good very fine