GWYNN Ralph A

Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral.

Ralph Gwynn was the son of John and Emma Gwynn of Woodland View, West Malvern, Worcestershire.  On 1st March 1912 he sailed from Liverpool on the SS Virginian bound for Halifax, Canada.

Ralph Gwynn enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 4th February 1915 at Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  On his attestation form he gave his date of birth as 17th November 1890 in Malvern, Worcestershire, England, his occupation as a miner and his next of kin as his father, John Gwynn, Malvern, Worcestershire. England.  He had two years previous military service in the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment prior to emigrating to Canada.  Ralph was 5 feet 9¼ inches tall with brown eyes, brown hair and a brown complexion.

On 27th October 1915 Ralph sailed from Halifax, Canada on the SS Orduna arriving in England in early November (the actual date of his arrival is unclear in his service records). He remained in England until 24th March 1916 when he was transferred to the 49th Battalion and immediately embarked for France where he joined his unit in the field in early April 1916.  On 8th October 1916 Ralph was awarded the DCM.  The following citation relating to this award appears in the London Gazette, 14th November 1916:
GWYNN R. Pte. 434772
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion during operations, when he went out and dressed the wounded in the advanced posts, and afterwards superintended their removal.  He continued in the performance of these duties for 60 hours without rest and in the open, and at all times under heavy fire.

Ralph was promoted to Corporal on 23rd November 1916 followed by promotion to Sergeant on 29th January 1917.  He was wounded in action on 9th June 1917 and died of his wounds at No 7 Casualty Clearing Station, France on 17th June 1917.

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3901 – 27

The Canada War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) records the following information on Sergeant Ralph Gwynn:
“Died of Wounds” (Gunshot Wounds Multiple) at No. 7 Casualty Clearing Station.

The Canada Commonwealth War Graves Registers records the following information on Sergeant Ralph Gwynn:
Previously reported Dangerously ill Now Died of Wounds. No 7 Casualty Clearing Station. (GSW. Multiple).  Place of Burial: Moeux Les Mines Communal Cemetery, Grave II. B. 1. Next of Kin: J. Gwynn Esq., Woodland View, West Malvern, Worcestershire.

Malvern News, 4th November 1916:
Pte Ralph Gwynn, the son of Mr and Mrs John Gwynn, Woodland View, West Malvern, has won the DCM.  He enlisted in a Canadian Bn at Calgary in February 1915.  He landed in England in November and went to France in March 1916.

Malvern News, 30th June 1917:
Sgt Ralph Gwynne, Canadians (the youngest son of Mr John Gwynne, Woodland View, West Malvern) has died of gun shot wounds received in action.  About four months ago he received the DCM.  Mr John Gwynne’s eldest son, Walter, Worcestershire Regiment was killed early in 1915.  Two other sons are serving – Samuel of the RAMC was decorated by the French Government (Legion d’Honneur, Medaille Militaire) and Sidney serves with the Worcestershire Regiment.

The same photograph of Private R. Gwynn(e) of West Malvern can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 4th November 1916 and Saturday 7th July 1917, available at Worcestershire Archives.