Ernest Clifford Powell (1895-1928)
Yorkshire man who served in the 18th DLI won the DCM during the 100 Day Offensive
Ernest Clifford Powell, son of James and Ann Powell, was born in Sledmere, Yorkshire in the summer of 1895. He had two brothers and two sisters and was a clerk in the Carlton Iron Works when he joined the 18th (The Pals) Battalion of the Durham Light nfantry (DLI) at Cocken Hall. He landed in Egypt on 22 December 1915 but was later transferred to France where he rose to the rank of sergeant and won the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) in September 1918, during the 100 Day Offensive. He was demobilised on 15 February 1919 and died in Sedgefield in 1928.
His award of the DCM was gazetted on 10 January 1920 and the citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 28th September, 1918, during the advance on Ploegsteert Wood. While his platoon was preparing for the final thrust in the wood it was strongly counter-attacked. He gathered a handful of men and led a charge which drove the enemy back. Later, when his platoon was suffering from the fire of a machine-gun, he worked round to the rear and silenced it”.
Civil Parish: Whitton
Birth date: 1895
Death date: 1928
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Newton Hotel, Newton, Pickering, Yorkshire (1901 census)
3 Railway Cottages, Whitton, Durham (1911 census)
Employment: Commercial clerk in pig iron manufacturer
Family: Father: James Powell
Mother: Ann Clifford
Siblings: Clara, Mabel, Edgar & Walter Powell
Military service:
18th (The Pals) Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental no.: 18/826
Sergeant
Medal(s): Distinguished Conduct Medal
1914-1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Edwards
