240639 C.S.M. Albert George Avery, DCM.
2/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medalin the London Gazette of 3 September 1918. Avery was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.
The citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal published in the London Gazette
reads: - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion
to duty in action, when he collected a party of fifty men, and, leading them
forward through heavy shell and machine-gun fire, he reinforced a front line
at a time when reinforcements were urgently needed. During seven days of continued
fighting, and until he was wounded, he showed the greatest courage and determination,
and set a magnificent example to his men".
The Burnley Express of 16 November reported: -
MEDALIST'S DEATH.
Only decorated a month ago. Great regret will be felt at the
death, which occurred from pneumonia in Manchester on 12 November , of Company
Sergeant-Major Albert George Avery, D.C.M. of 38, Towneley Street, Burnley,
who was only decorated with the medal at the Burnley Palace by the ex-Mayor
Alderman Sinclair a month ago today. On that occasion he was warmly congratulated
by the Mayor, and heartily cheered by a large audience.
Company Sergeant-Major Avery, who was in the 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment
(T.F.), was a married man with two children, and he was 30 years of age. His
mother is living. Avery enlisted in 1914, and was at that time a weaver for
Messrs. Mason, West and Bather, Harle Syke. He went out in March 1917, and the
deed for which he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal was as follows: -
"On March 21st, last, during an heavy German offensive in front of Hartoniers,
C.S.M., Avery collected 50 men and led them up the line under a very heavy shell
and machine-gun fire, reinforcing the line at a very critical moment. He was
in action for the whole of the nine days up to being wounded on March 29th.
By his courageous act he set a magnificent example to his men".
There is one brother in France, and also three brothers in law serving, whilst
two have been killed - one being Sergeant-Major Holland, and the other Private
James Feeney.