Distinguished Service Medal

The Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration for bravery and resourcefulness on active service awarded to junior ranks of the navy (up to and including the rank of Chief Petty Officer). The award was introduced on October 14 1914.

Link: The Western Front Association
Episode: Bad Blood


Domesday Book

A record of the survey of Britain completed in 1086 and commissioned by William the Conqueror as a means of gathering information about the country he had just conquered. The original Domesday Book is housed in a special chest at the Public Record Office in Kew, London.

Link: The Domesday Book Online

Episode: Invasion


Doughboy

There are various theories regarding the origin of this term for a US infantryman. Doughboy was a popular nickname for the American Expeditionary Forces during the Great War but it's use seemed to evaporate after the war's end. The favourite explanation of the nickname points to the punitive expeditions into Mexico in 1916 when it was coined as a term of derision toward infantrymen. The infantrymen, marching behind the cavalry, became covered in the fine adobe dust thrown up by horses hooves and motor transport wheels, giving them a doughy appearance. General John "Black Jack" Pershing led the doughboys into Mexico and he also led the American Expeditionary Force into Europe.

Link: Origins of Doughboy
Link: Pershing's Doughboys

Episode: Invasion