Distinguished Conduct Medal

Private John Hodgson (1899-1967), from Blyth, Northumberland, volunteered aged 16 in 1915 in the First World War.  He was awarded the DCM in 1918 while serving as a Company Cook.  The citation for his Distinguished Conduct Medal explains this most unusual award:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He carried on as cook under intense bombardment of gas and other shell fire.  His assistants were killed, and the top of his cook-house blown away.  Nevertheless, working with his respirator on, he served the company with their dinners, showing great coolness and indifference to danger.”