Lives of the First World War

Birth and Baptism - St Bartholomew, Great Harwood, Lancashire, England

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) Military Medal (MM)

In uniform with medal of honour

Reuben Monk - 1892 - 1956. Distinguished Conduct Medal. No. L/406 Gunner Reuben Monk, 64th Brigade, RFA. For Conspicuous Gallantry during operations. He succeeded in sending back messages from the front line to Batteries by visual signalling, asking for Barrage Fire. On another occasion, when knocked out and badly shaken by a shell, he stuck to his work and 12 times repaired wire under shell fire.

A Well Won Distinction "You are a credit to yourself, your battery and your brigade". Those were the words addressed to Gunner Reuben Monk, a member of the Howitzer Brigade, by his captain, after a brilliant piece of work the soldier performed under heavy fire. Gunner Monk has been awarded the DCM for conspicuous bravery, and has been granted seven days leave, which he is spending at home with his young wife and child at 11 Lomax Square, Gt Harwood. A smartly built young fellow, 24 years of age, Gunner Monk enlisted on the 23rd February 1915, previous to which he worked as a weaver at Britannia Mill, Great Harwood. He has served in France about nine months and taken part in some severe fighting. When seen by an "Observer" representative, Gunner Monk was very reticent about his own bravery. Yet he has twice previously been recommended for honours. It was on February 20th that he performed the gallant deed which gained for him the coveted decoration. The Germans at the time were ...