Military Cross GVR; Distinguished Conduct Medal GVR (9497 SJT: J. MITCHELL. 8/R. HDRS); 1914 Star with clasp 5TH AUG-22ND NOV 1914 (9497 PTE. J. MITCHELL. R. HIGHRS); British War Medal (9497 W.O.CL.1. J. MITCHELL. R. HIGHRS.); Victory Medal (9497 W.O.CL.1. J. MITCHELL. R. HIGHRS.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal GVIR (JOHN MITCHELL)
John Mitchell was born in Swansea, Wales on 28 December 1885. He joined the army in 1903 and went with his regiment to India. During the Great War which commenced on 4 August 1914 he served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Highlanders in the French theatre from 13 August 1914. He was Wounded in Action on 11 October 1914 following which he was evacuated to England and admitted to hospital at Netley.
On his return to the front he transferred to the 8th (Service) Battalion, and served with them as Company Sergeant Major, ‘D’ Company, in France from May 1915. Mitchell advanced to Regimental Sergeant Major, and the Battalion served on the Somme from 1 July 1916 onwards.
He was awarded the D.C.M. which announcement appeared in the London Gazette of 1 January 1917 (details appearing in the London Gazette 13 February 1917) read thus:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He greatly assisted in leading his company to their objective. later, he displayed great courage and initiative during an enemy counter-attack.’
The original recommendation for his DCM, dated 29 July 1916 has survived and is more informative than that in the LG. Signed by Lt Col C.V.E. Gordon, O.C. 8th Bn, Black Watch, it read as follows:
"For his distinguished conduct during the attack on LONGUEVAL on 14 July 1916 when after all his Company Officers had become casualties it was largely due to his leadership that his Company reached and retained their objective. Again during the enemy counter-attack on the 18th July he showed an example of great courage and devotion to duty and assisted to lead the counter-attack of his own regiment when that was launched."
Mitchell next took part in the attack of the 9th (Scottish) Division south east of Poelcapelle, during the first battle of Passchendaele. For his conduct on this occasion he was awarded the Military Cross - the citation for his M.C. which appeared in the London Gazette of 23 April 1918 read thus:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the battalion on the left was held up by heavy machine-gun fire from a strong enemy “pill-box”, which held about 100 of the enemy, he made a most determined attempt to capture it with a small party. He only desisted in the attempt when all the party had become casualties.’
Again, the original recommendation has survived and provides more context and detail:
"On the morning of 12th October (1917) during the advance, the battalion on the left was held up by heavy machine gun fire from a very strongly fortified German pill box & the Company of which this Warrant Officer is Sergeant Major came under very heavy enfilade machine gun fire from this pill box which was on their left flank. This W.O. in company with a Company Commander and half a platoon started off to try and capture the pill box; they got right up to it and killed a great many Germans in and around it.
The Company Commander (Lt Harper) was killed at the door of the pill box and all the rest of the party with the exception of this W.O. became casualties. The pill box was subsequently reduced on a party of 10th A.&S. Hrs & K.O.S.B.s coming up. It is estimated to have contained 100 Germans. This N.C.O. remained at duty until his Coy. was relieved on the night 13th-14th. Throughout he set a fine example of courage and endurance to those under him. He is in possession of a D.C.M. for distinguished courage at LONGUEVAL."
Having emerged unscathed from that ordeal he was Wounded in Action again on 23 March 1918, during the German Spring offensive.
According to the 1939 Register he was a Butler living at North Lodge, Eastern Lane, in Redruth, Cornwall. By the end of 1974 he was staying with his son-in-law, Richard Roy Jones, at 19 Pendarves Road, Camborne. On 4 December 1974his son-in-law wrote to the Ministry of Defence asking for details of CSM Mitchell's service, stating that his father-in-law "is very proud of his association with the 8th Bn, The Black Watch.
This indomitable old soldier passed away at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on 24 February 1976 at the age of 90.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with comprehensive research. This group is a rare re-unite - the DCM was sold separately at Noonan's (Lot 687 1 March 2018.)
