Distinguished Conduct Medal, awarded to Company Sergeant Major (later Lieutenant) James Nolan, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1918

Circular, silver medal with a portrait of King George V bareheaded and the inscription, 'Georgivs V Rex Britt Omn Rex et Ind Imp', on the obverse. On the reverse, the inscriptions, 'For Distinguished Conduct in the Field'. The edge of the medal is inscribed with the name, rank and unit of recipient. The ribbon has a central dark blue stripe, flanked by crimson stripes.

The Supplement to the 'Edinburgh Gazette' of 7 February 1918, records that Nolan, of the 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was awarded the DCM, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in command of the first wave of his company, after the officer had become a casualty. He captured the objective and consolidated the position. During the night he took a patrol into No Man's Land, and visited every post in the company. Nolan was subsequently commissioned.

Company Sergeant Major James Nolan was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1918 and was subsequently commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He went on to be awarded the Military Cross and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

The Distinguished Conduct Medal was established in 1854 and could only be awarded to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks. It was second only in ranking to the Victoria Cross. The award was discontinued in 1993 and replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

From a medal group associated with Lieutenant James Nolan MC, DCM, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.