The RCR in the Great War
War Diary
Battle Honours
Honours and Awards
Roll of Honour
Prisoners of War
Cemetery List
Cemetery Map
Courts Martial
Officers
NCOs and Soldiers
An Officer's Diary (1914-1918)
Recollections of a Nonagenerian (R. England) (1916-1919)
On to Bermuda (1914-15)
Overseas with The Royals (1915)
Amiens (1918)
Cambrai (1918)
Monchy-le-Preux (1918)
Badges - Signs of the Times
The 7th Trench Mortar Battery
A Regimental Goat
Regiment and Family, Bermuda 1914-15
The Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) group of NAME (Click image for full group) - Photo by Sgt A Majoor. (The RCR Museum Collection.)
The Royal Canadian Regiment and
The First World War - 1914-1919
Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)
During the First World War, the MEDAL (ABBN) was awarded for individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. A military order for officers only, the DSO was normally given for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to combat. Between 1914 and 1916 it could also be awarded for circumstances not be regarded as under fire. After 1 Jan 1917, recommendations for the DSO were to be only for those serving under fire. The DSO is generally given to officers in command, above the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and awards to ranks below this are usually for a high degree of gallantry just short of deserving the Victoria Cross. (Veterans Affairs Canada)
The following Officers of The Royal Canadian Regiment received the D.S.O. during the First World War.
| Rank | Initials | Surname | Date | CEF-db |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brevet Lt.-Col. | Ronald O'Keden | ALEXANDER | CEF-db | |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 1 JANUARY, 1917; Awarded the Distinguished Service Order - Maj. Konald Okeden Alexander, Can Inf. | ||||
| Maj | Allison Hart | BORDEN | CEF-db | |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 5 JULY, 1918 - Lt.-Col. Allison Hart Borden, Infy. - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. By his personal reconnaissance prior to the attack, in the face of great danger from machine-gun and rifle fire, he obtained sufficient information to modify his plans so as to deal with the unexpected situation caused by the enemy's counter-attack. With complete disregard for his own safety, he made a tour of the line, making the necessary adjustments in dispositions to ensure its being held. His example to his battalion was magnificent, and his determination, courageous conduct, and skilful leadership inspired all ranks to hold on to their objective, even though their losses were very heavy. | ||||
| Maj (Brevet Lt.-Col.) | Reginald James | BROOK | SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 3 JUNE, 1916 - Maj. Reginald James Brook, 3rd Infy. Bn.; Buckingham Palace Court Circular 10 Mar 1917 | CEF-db |
| DSO Gazetted: SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 3 JUNE, 1916 - Maj: Reginald James Brook, 3rd Infy. Bn. | ||||
| Maj. (Temp. Lt.-Col.) | Eric Boyd | COSTIN | D.S.O. awarded after transfer to W. Yorks. R. | CEF-db |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 4 JUNE, 1917; Awarded the DSO - Capt. (temp. Maj.) Eric Boyd Costin, W. Yorks. R. | ||||
| Lt.-Col. | William Waring Primrose | GIBSONE | 3 Feb 1917 | CEF-db |
| Lt.-Col. | Claude Hardinge | HILL | London Gazette 18 Aug 1916 | CEF-db |
| Lt.-Col. (late Temp. Col.) | H. | KEMMIS-BETTY | SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 23 JUNE, 1915. | CEF-db |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 23 JUNE, 1915; CANADIAN FORCES - To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order - Lieutenant-Colonel H. Kemmis Betty, 1st Canadian Division, Staff | ||||
| Major (late Lt.-Col.) | F.A. | LISTER | While serving with the Cdn. Divl. Signal Co.; London Gazette 22 Jun 1915 | CEF-db |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 23 JUNE, 1915; CANADIAN FORCES - To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order - Major F. A. Lister, Canadian Divisional Signal Company. | ||||
| Capt | Eric Edward Napier | McCALLUM | Regimental records notes date of award as June 1916, London Gazette 18 Aug 1916 (Lt) | CEF-db |
| A/Lt.-Col. | George Waters | MacLEOD | CEF-db | |
| THE LONDON GAZETTE 18 JANUARY 1918 - Awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order. - Maj. George Waters MacLeod, D.S.O., Can. Inf. (D.S.O. gazetted 14th November, 1916.)
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 25 APRIL, 1918 - Maj. George Waters MacLeod, D.S.O., Infy. - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed the greatest initiative in supervising the assault and accurately reporting the position of the attacking troops. He was untiring in his efforts to strengthen the captured position and contributed largely to the success of the operations. He set a splendid example of coolness and courage. |
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| Brevet Maj. | William | NEILSON | CEF-db | |
| Regimental service with The RCR as an Officer: 1920-1935 (tbc) | ||||
| Maj. | Kenneth Meikle | PERRY | London Gazette 18 Aug 1916; BAR TO DSO - SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 15 FEBRUARY, 1919 | CEF-db |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 30 JULY, 1919; 29 July 1919 - Lt.-Col. Kenneth Meikle Perry, D.S.O., 87th Bn. Can. Infy., Quebec R. - For conspicuous courage and leadership at Bourlon Wood and north of Cambrai from September 27th to October 1st. His work was accomplished with dash and precision, although at the cost of heavy casualties. On September 30th the battalion again lost heavy casualties, but, when asked to attack once more the next morning, he, with only 160 men, carried the attack to the very outskirts of Eswars, in spite of the desperate opposition of heavily massed enemy, and in conjunction with the battalion on his left he maintained an advanced position. (D.S.O. gazetted 19th August, 1916.) | ||||
| Regimental service with The RCR as an Officer: 1920-1928 | ||||
| Brevet Maj. | William Gordon | PETERSON | SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 3 JUNE, 1918 | CEF-db |
| Lt.-Col. | Herbert Cosford | SPARLING | CEF-db | |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 4 JUNE, 1917 - TO BE COMPANIONS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER - Lt.-Col. Herbert C Sparling, Inf. | ||||
| Regimental service with The RCR as an Officer: 1919-1920 | ||||
| Maj (A./Lt.-Col.) | James | SUTHERLAND-BROWN | CEF-db | |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 14 JANUARY, 1916 - Chancery of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.; TO BE COMPANIONS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER - Major James Sutherland Brown, Royal Canadian Regiment. | ||||
| Lt.-Col. | Reginald Symmonds | TIMMIS | CEF-db | |
| Maj. Reginald Symmonds Timmis, Can. Cav. - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in successfully leading a counter-attack at a critical moment, giving sufficient time for the withdrawal of other troops who were surrounded. Later, he conducted a most able rearguard action. Thanks to his energetic and prompt action, a successful with drawal in face of strong bodies of the enemy was accomplished. | ||||
| Timmis was a pre-War officer of The RCR, serving in 1912 and transferring to the RCD that same year. | ||||
| Brevet Maj. | Wilfred Ormonde | WHITE | CEF-db | |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 14 NOVEMBER, 1916; 30 January 1920 - Capt. Wilfred Ormonde White, Can. Inf. - For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He set a fine example throughout a very heavy bombardment, dressed the wounds of several men, and dug out others who had been buried by shell fire. As Adjutant, he has always been of the greatest assistance to his C.O., and has displayed great coolness and courage. | ||||
| Regimental service with The RCR as a commissioned Officer: 1920-1922 | ||||
| Maj. | Charles Richard Edward | WILLETS | London Gazette 24 Jul 1917; Regimental records give date of 9 Apr 1917 for D.S.O. (and M.I.D.) | CEF-db |
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 26 JULY, 1917; 24 July 1917 - Maj. Charles Richard Edward Willets, Inf. - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He went forward to the front line under very heavy fire and organised the defence of the position with great skill. He has at all times displayed the greatest courage and initiative. | ||||
Pro Patria