"C" Battery, 157th Brigade (Accrington and Burnley Howitzers), R.F.A

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 3 September 1919.

Ormerod was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 9 August 1919 reported, D.C.M. FOR SERGEANT. ONE OF THE BURNLEY HOWITZERS. Mrs. Ormerod, of 110, Brunshaw Road, Burnley, who has had four sons serving in the war, has received this week the Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to her son, L/304 Sergeant Harry Ormerod, of the Royal Field Artillery, for bravery in the field last year. When he was recommended for the honour the soldier was a corporal, and his conduct on that occasion also earned him a promotion. Sergeant Ormerod who was formerly a weaver at Parkinson's Calder Vale Mill, joined the Burnley Howitzers in February of 1915, and had served continuously until a short time ago. His brother Walter who was also in the howitzers, was wounded and discharged. Herbert who was also in the R.F.A. has also been wounded and demobilised. William is now in Wales with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

The citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal published in the London Gazette reads, "During the period 25th February and 16th September 1918, he has shown great gallantry and devotion to duty, and has done most excellent work, particularly when his battery was heavily shelled at Poelcapelle on 25th February, 1918, he showed utmost disregard for his own safety, controlling his gun detachment and keeping his guns in action. Again on 26th March, near Bray, he was left in charge of a gun, fighting a rearguard action. Though under heavy shell fire he continued in action until he had finished his ammunition, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, and then retired as ordered. "