A gold plated pocket watch engraved, “Presented to Private Henry Ramsden DCM, No. 242853 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers by the inhabitants of Horwich in appreciation of his bravery and gaining the Distinguished Conduct medal in the European war June 23rd 1917”.
Sadly the watch appears to have had a hard life.
Henry Ramsden was Born in Bolton, Living at 23 Percy Street, off Chalfont Street in Bolton, the family moved to Horwich where he became a Butchers Errand Boy living at 8 Wright Street West.
Young Henry Ramsden, known as Harry.
Harry joined the military and is shown here kneeling on the far right of the front row.
During operations Harry volunteered for a dangerous mission, where three men had already died trying, and being successful he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, DCM. He was mentioned in the London Gazette where the citation is shown.
The medal card showing the award of the DCM to Harry.
Henry Ramsden died on 29 November 1955 when he was just 57 years old.