NAM.1994-04-529-1

Distinguished Service Order (DSO), 1918, with two bars. Awarded to Lt Col James Frederick Plunkett, 2nd Bn Royal Irish Regiment and 1st Bn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, attached 22nd Bn, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment); 12th Bn, Suffolk Regiment; 19th Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 13th Bn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Notification for award of first DSO published in London Gazette, 1 Jan 1918, with no citation. First bar gazetted, 4 Feb 1918, awarded for service during the Battle of Cambrai, 1917, where Plunkett played a prominent role in the capture and defence of Bourlon Wood. For this action Plunkett had originally been recommended for a Victoria Cross. Citation for first bar gazetted 5 July 1918, reads: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during sixty hours’ hand-to-hand fighting. When our line was pressed back by a counter-attack and the men began to waver on the right, he reorganised them and succeeded in re-establishing our old line. When reinforcements arrived he organised and led a successful counter-attack. He carried out in person many daring reconnaissances, and undoubtedly saved the situation at many critical moments by his prompt action’. Second bar gazetted 2 Dec 1918, for an action at Rue Pruvost, 27 Aug 1918. Citation reads: ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. When the line on the right was held up by machine gun fire he led two companies forward, and through his absolute contempt of danger established and consolidated a line of posts capturing seven machine-guns. Throughout the operation his determination and fine personal example inspired the attacking troops, and was the chief cause of its success’. Associated with the Battle of Cambrai, (1917) and Hundred Day Offensive (1918), World War One, Western Front (1914-1918).

Cambrai, Battle of, 1917 (World War One, Western Front 1914-1918), Hundred Days Offensive, 1918 (World War One, Western Front 1914-1918)