We are one of Britain's foremost public auctioneers of Medals and Militaria. Our six sales each year contain medal groups and individual awards from early and Victorian campaigns, the Boer War and the 2 World Wars, as well as foreign medals and orders of merit.

Public auctions of medals and militaria, coins and banknotes are held six times a year. The dates of our 2013 sales are as follows:

• 19th June 2013
• 21st August 2013
• 16th October 2013
• 11th December 2013

Our next general public auction of Medals will be held at the Lord Leycester Hotel, Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EJ, on Wednesday 19th June, starting at 12 noon. The online catalogue will be available approximately 3 weeks before the sale. To view the online catalogue, once it is uploaded, and place bids on items in the sale click here. To download a catalogue (without illustrations) click here.

The sales take place at the Lord Leycester Hotel, Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EJ. The hotel has a small car park at the rear and the nearest public car park is in New Street. The nearest railway station is Warwick Town and the nearest major international airport is Birmingham. For directions please visit our How to Find Us page.

Public viewing for all of our auctions is held at our own premises, the sales being too large to transport to the auction venue. Account settlement and lot allocation takes place progressively at our premises whilst the auction continues, so as soon as the section which interests you has been knocked down, you can pay and collect your lots without waiting for the end of the sale.

Public viewing for this sale is available at our offices on the following dates:

• Friday 14th June from 9am – 4.30pm
• Monday 17th June from 9am – 4.30pm
• Tuesday 18th June from 9am – 4.30pm
• Wednesday 19th June from 8am onwards

There is no need to attend an auction in person, as commission bids can be placed in advance of the sale via our online facility, or by telephone, mail, fax or e-mail. For further details please visit our Online Catalogue.

If you would like to receive a free sample printed catalogue, or alternatively to apply for a catalogue subscription, please complete our catalogue enquiry form. However please remember that the printed catalogue contains far fewer illustrations of lots than the online catalogue.

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WW1 Distinguished Conduct medal and Military Medal group to WO2 W S Dalby

The WW1 Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal group to Warrant Officer Class 2 William S Dalby Leicestershire Regiment will be offered in Warwick & Warwick's auction on Wednesday 19th June 2013 estimated £2800.

The 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment was formed in September 1914 and with the 6th, 8th and 9th Battalions formed the 110th (Leicestershire) Brigade, 37th Division in April 1915. William Dalby sailed with the Brigade and landed in France on 29th July 1915.

The award of the DCM was announced in the London Gazette dated 22nd January 1916 while he was attached to 93rd Trench Mortar Battery:

"For conspicuous gallantry near Bienvillers on 27th November 1915. When a trench mortar was being fired, one of the bombs, owing to a defective charge, fell near the gun position. Shouting to the men near to run clear, regardless of all danger he reloaded the 50lb bomb, in which the fuse was still burning, and fired it clear of our trenches."

The award of the MM was announced in the London Gazette dated 11th February 1919. He was discharged on 27th February 1919. He was awarded The Cadet Forces Medal for his long service with the Uppingham Public School CCF in Rutland.

The full medal details are WW1 Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star trio, WW2 Defence Medal and KGVI Cadet Forces Medal with 2 bars to C.S.M. W.S. Dalby 7/Leic R. Sold with 37th Division GOC's distinguished conduct card dated 29/11/15.

WW2 Pathfinder's DFC group to Flying Officer J.E. Foley R.A.F.

The WW2 Distinguished Flying Cross group to Flying Officer James Eli Foley R.A.F. was offered in our 17th April 2013 auction. It was estimated at £2,400 and realised £3,680.

James Eli Foley attested on 25th March 1941 No 1237424 in the Royal Air Force. At the time he was a wages clerk living in Conisborough near Doncaster. His log book starts 25th April 1942 flying in PBY5s in Pensacola, USA. He returned to the UK and was posted to 31 A.F.U. at RAF Bobbington and continued his training flying in Ansons. He completed the Advanced Navigation Course on 29th September 1942. He continued his training with 30 OTU and 1662 Conversion Unit before being posted to 460 Sqn at RAF Breighton. He flew on his Op with 460 Sqn flying Lancasters to Stettin on 19th April 1943 where the plane was damaged by flak and completed 4 Ops with 460 Sqn.

Foley was then posted to 156 Sqn on Lancasters at RAF Warboys. His first Op was to Munster on 11th June 1943, also missions to Peenemunde 17th August 1943, Berlin 23rd August 1943 many fighters noted. His 22nd and last Op with 156 Sqn was to Hannover on 28th September 1943.
In 1944 he spent time with 23 OTU, 21 OTU and 69 Sqn before joining 1655 MTU in August 1944. His first Pathfinder Op with 139 Pathfinder Sqn flying the twin engined Mosquito with Flt Lt Henderson as his pilot was to Mannheim on 27th August 1944. After 5 Ops with 139 Sqn, he and Henderson were posted to 608 Pathfinder Sqn. 23/9/44 and flew 50 Ops, 22 of which were to Berlin. During a raid to Duisburg on 8th December 1944 his Mosquito was hit by flak and lost 1 engine and was forced to land in Brussels.

The DFC was awarded as a Warrant Officer Navigator flying Mosquitos with 608 Pathfinder Sqn and announced in the London Gazette dated 19th January 1945. He was commissioned on 22nd December 1944.

The full medal details are Distinguished Flying Cross (1945), 1939-1945, Air Crew Europe (France and Germany bar) Stars and BWM. Sold with Flying Log Book, Sight Log Book, Airman's Pay Book, Officer's Release Book, DFC box of issue, photocopied photo in uniform and 3 copied medal slips.

A remarkable record of a navigator who flew 57 Pathfinder Ops and 25 non-Pathfinder Ops.

1942 King’s Lynn Air Raid George Medal group

The 1942 King's Lynn Air Raid George Medal group to Sergeant Francis Faulkner, Royal Artillery, was offered in Warwick & Warwick's auction on Wednesday 12th December 2012. Estimated £3,000, it made £4,255.

On the night of 12th June 1942 a lone German bomber crept in from the North Sea and dropped its bomb load on the town of King’s Lynn. A 17 year old on duty reported “I heard the drone of an aircraft which I knew wasn’t British. Suddenly through the break in the clouds there it was. I saw the Dornier’s bomb doors open and out came the bombs. I grabbed a passing lady cyclist off her bike and we landed up in the shelter of the railway footbridge. The next thing was the sound of bombs exploding; it was in a direct line – Wood Street, St John’s Terrace, the Cattle Market and the Eagle Hotel. I will never forget the sight of bodies in sacks being brought from the cellar to the waiting ambulances for transportation to the temporary mortuary set up in Tower Street.”

Another witness, former soldier Bert Dopson reported, “As I ran to Norfolk Street from the Cattle Market, I could see clouds of black dust and night sky at the other end of Paradise Lane where I should have been able to see the hotel sign. Instead there was a huge crater, headless and limbless bodies were scattered around among the debris, moans and groans were coming from the chip shop that had been flattened, they were sights no one should be allowed to see.”

One of the bombs that hit the Eagle Hotel which was packed with customers caused most of the casualties. Sergeant Francis Faulkner was awarded the George Medal which was announced in the London Gazette dated 3rd December 1942.

The award was for “Sgt Faulkner displayed outstanding meritorious service and conspicuous devotion to duty during rescue work at King’s Lynn during and after an air raid in June 1942. He worked his way among dangerous debris and through his initiative and disregard for personal safety, a number of persons were rescued after one and a half hours. Subsequently, indifferent to the danger to which he exposed himself and working in a confined space in air heavily polluted by escaping gas, he displayed great courage and tenacity in his efforts to effect further rescues from a cellar.”

In total 26 civilians, 14 RAF and 2 Army personnel were killed in the raid, the worst death toll in King’s Lynn history.

The full medal details are WW2 King’s Lynn Air Raid George Medal, 1939-1945, Africa (1st Army bar), Italy Stars, Defence Medal, BWM and 1923 GSM Palestine 1945-48 clasp to 3443379 Sjt F. Faulkner R.A. (3443379 Sgt Francis Faulkner R.A. on George Medal. With a copy of the Palestine roll in which he was serving with 2 Field Regt RA. 2 Field Regt were equipped with 25 pounders and served with 1st Infantry Division throughout WW2 going to France 24/9/39, evacuated from Dunkirk in May 1940, to North Africa March 1943, Anzio January 1944 and Palestine February 1945.

1982 Falklands War bombing of the Sir Galahad Military Medal group to WO1 B T Neck 1st Bn Welsh Guards

The Falklands War bombing of the Sir Galahad Military Medal, Northern Ireland MID group to WO1 Brian Thomas Neck 1st Battalion Welsh Guards was offered on behalf of the recipient in Warwick & Warwick’s auction on Wednesday 15th August 2012 estimated £40,000-£60,000. It realised £46,000.

Brian Thomas Neck was born on 2nd October 1947. He enlisted in the Welsh Guards in Cardiff on 25th April 1966 and completed tours in Northern Ireland from 21st May 1971 to 26th July 1971, 14th November 1973 to 7th March 1974 and 20th October 1979 to 28th February 1980. CSgt Neck was Mentioned in Dispatches for his efforts during the last tour when the battalion was based at Bessbrook Mill in South Armagh and it was announced in the London Gazette dated 21st October 1980.

The award of the Military Medal was announced in the London Gazette dated 8th October 1982 “On 8th June 1982, The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Landing Ship SIR GALAHAD, had begun landing operations at Fitzroy Settlement on the Island of East Falkland. Embarked, preparing to land, was 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. With only minimal warning, the ship was attacked and severely damaged by bombs from several aircraft. Intense fire and smoke spread rapidly from the devastated deck areas. In the fire, confusion, and exploding ammunition many casualties were incurred. Disregarding the conditions and ignoring the order to abandon ship, Warrant Officer Neck immediately began to organise the evacuation of soldiers from among the wreckage, many times, disregarding his own safety, he rushed back through the smoke filled areas, flames and continuing explosions to assist the hurt and injured. His courageous example, encouragement and assistance to his colleagues undoubtedly saved many lives.”

WO2 Neck’s Company Commander, Major Bremner’s recollection of the bombing and after was:

“I looked up through the open hatch of the tank deck just in time to see a cylindrical object fly through the air. There was a loud metallic clang. I had no idea what it was, but something made me shout ‘Take cover!’ My CSM took up the cry. A split second later there was a deafening explosion towards the stern of the ship, and immediately a second. A blinding, intensely hot flash roared through the tank deck. I was incredibly lucky; the CSM and I were beside a great pile of bergens which were just about to be lifted off when the bomb fell. We dived over to one side whilst the CQMS went to the other. He was a burns victim; the CSM and I got away with it. The lights went out and breathing became difficult. Miraculously, after what seemed like only a few seconds, they came back on. The thick, black, acrid smoke that now filled the tank deck dulled their effect but there was enough light to see with and I became aware of the full and sudden horror of what had happened. The sound was the first thing: the sound of horribly mutilated and frightened, disorientated men – a noise from a different world. Then the sights – unbelievable. The first thing I saw was a man running through a wall of flame from the far stern of the ship. He was on fire from head to foot, in excruciating pain and was begging his fellow Guardsmen to shoot him and put him out of his misery. Somehow he was smothered and the fire extinguished; morphine was torn off a dog-tag string and applied to give blessed, if only temporary relief. Then I saw a group of men standing stock-still. All with dark, burnt, curling hair, heads swollen like footballs, piercing but far-away eyes, bright red scorched faces, and all holding their hands in the air as if in surrender. All had been burned in the initial flash.

Then the 81mm mortar bombs, 66mm rounds, small arms ammunition and grenades in the tank deck started to cook off. Evacuation was now the priority. There was no panic. The CSM, Neck, bawled instructions and instinctively they were obeyed. He was doing everything as he did in barracks, making everything appear normal; he organized everything in a typical Footguards way. We found a way up and out of the tank deck; a queue was formed and men filed out. One man got half-way up a companionway when the CSM called him back, against the flow of traffic: ‘Did you fill in your ADAT Form?’ Yes Sir, he cried. Good. Now you see the bloody point of it. Go on, get a move on, you’re holding everyone up.’ It was a brilliant move that relieved the tension.

It is almost unfair to single out CSM Neck and Corporal Loveridge. They were all astonishing: how loyal they were, how good they were, how professional they were, how brave they were.

With a 3 page hand written personal account of the action by the recipient. “As CSM of No 3 Company 1st Bn Welsh Guards, we had arrived at Fitzroy Creek in the early hours of 8th June. It was a beautiful day and it was hoped we would be getting off very soon, but due to a number of reasons, ie the large tank deck door was not working, we were still on board at 1700 which means we were at that location all day and only about 20 miles from Port Stanley. At about 1600 it was decided to get people off. This was being done at the time of the attack. We had decided to get everyone off in small boats. To enable us to do this, all the bergens and heavy equipment would be loaded into large nets and taken up to the deck. I was with a number of people loading the nets. I had just given the signal to the crane operator on deck to take the load up through the open hatch of the tank deck, when for no reason, I could see he climbed off the crane. Next thing, there was a large deafening explosion towards the stern of the ship and almost immediately, a blinding intensely hot flash roared through the tank deck. Myself and two others including my Company Commander, dived behind a pile of bergens which was about to be sent through the open hatch. A number of other people who were on the other side of the bergens were caught in the blast while myself and others were fine.
The tank deck was now filling up with smoke, the lights had gone out and soldiers were screaming and trying to get out. The only way out was along the length of the tank deck to two small doors. The tank deck itself was full of vehicles and equipment due to be taken off, so it was difficult to get people out, as you only had a small space to work because of all the equipment. After the initial attack, I started to get people who were not injured to go down the tank deck to the doors and up on to the deck, those who had injuries and were in shock to follow me. A number of people had lost limbs and were badly burned, there was no time to treat them, just to get them out onto the deck. The fire was now setting off the ammo and there were loud explosions at the area of the ship where the bomb came in. Having made my way to the doors leading up to the deck, I could see no movement. I put torches on the open doors, waited a number of minutes and made my way to the deck. When a number of helicopters had taken those seriously injured off, while those who could walk climbed down the scramble nets on the side of the ship into small boats. It was about 200 metres to the shore, where soldiers who had witnessed the attack helped to get the injured up from the shore to treatment. Myself going down the nets slipped and dislocated my shoulder (old rugby injury), it was put in on shore.

The horrors of that day, the sound and smell will live with me forever. We lost 39 Welsh Guards and 79 wounded. Sir Galahad was towed about 12 miles and they sank her. We attended a service on Sir Tristam her sister ship that was also injured that day. We stayed at San Carlos until the battle was won. We had to be regrouped before we could proceed to Port Stanley to meet up with the battalion for a number of weeks before we came home on 29th July.

Of all the images of the Falklands War, the one that always brings it home is the explosion and the fireball through the open hatch at Sir Galahad, and to think I was directly below it.”

The full medal details are Military Medal, 1962 GSM Northern Ireland clasp with MID oakleaf, 1982 South Atlantic Medal with rosette and QEII Regular Army bar LSGC to 23929678 WO1 B T Neck WG. Sold with Regular Army Certificate of Service (Red book), original MID Certificate, colour photo in ceremonial uniform wearing medals, black and white photo in uniform, Buckingham Palace telegram congratulating him on MID, letter of congratulations for MID from Col Gaussen, WO1 rank badge, newspaper on the bombing of the Sir Galahad, 2007 25th Anniversary SAMA Publication and Service booklet for Consecration of the Welsh National Monument, photocopies from a book detailing Major Bremner’s account of the bombing in which WO2 Neck is mentioned.

Sold on behalf of the recipient, never before on the market.

SAS group to WO2 P Thompson the youngest SAS trooper

The Special Air Service group to WO2 Peter Thompson B Squadron S.A.S. was offered on behalf of the recipient in Warwick & Warwick’s auction on Wednesday 15th August 2012 estimated £10,000. It failed to sell and enquiries are invited.

Peter Thompson served as a boy soldier with the Royal Artillery and is thought to be the youngest ever SAS soldier completing the arduous SAS selection course aged just 18 years and 1 month. He joined B Sqn in Malaya on 9th August 1955. With a copy of a newspaper article about Chieftain the Bear who has recently been adopted as the emblem of B Sqn SAS. Thompson found the bear cub on operations in 1958 in Malaya and adopted the bear who lived with him and 9 Troop until it died of pneumonia over a year later.

The full medal details are 1923 GSM (QEII) Malaya clasp, 1962 GSM 5 clasps Borneo, Malay Peninsula, South Arabia, Northern Ireland, Dhofar, QEII Regular Army bar LSGC and Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal to 22785949 WO2 P Thompson RA (Tpr S.A.S. on 1923 GSM, Cpl SAS on 1962 GSM). The LSGC is named as RA because it was awarded in the early 1970s when the official line was the SAS were not in Northern Ireland and they had to serve under the guise of their original regiments. Sold with 20 copied photos from service in Malaya and Borneo, some annotated on the rear. Superb multi campaign group to the youngest SAS soldier.

Sold on behalf of the recipient, never before on the market.

Exceptional WWI CMG, DSO, MC, Order of St Stanislas group to Colonel E.G. Hamilton Connaught Rangers

The World War I group to Colonel Ernest Graham Hamilton, Connaught Rangers, was offered in Warwick & Warwick’s auction on Wednesday 15th August 2012. It failed to sell and enquiries are invited.

Ernest Graham Hamilton was born on 20th January 1883. He was commissioned in the Connaught Rangers on 22nd October 1902 and served in India 1902-06 being promoted Lieutenant on 26th October 1905. He served on attachment with the West Africa Frontier Force 1906-07 and then in India again from 1908.

He was promoted to Captain on 28th January 1911. He arrived in France with the 2nd Battalion on 13th August 1914 and took part in the retreat from Mons and the Battles of the Aisne, the Marne and Ypres. He distinguished himself in 1914 being Mentioned in Dispatches on 14th January 1915 and the award of the Military Cross was announced in the London Gazette dated 16th February 1915.

He was appointed Staff Capt of the Sirhind Brigade on 10th February 1915 with whom he saw fighting at Neuve Chapelle and Festubert. He was appointed Brigade Major on 27th September 1915 and Mentioned in Dispatches for the second time on 30th November 1915. He was promoted Temporary Major on 10th May 1916.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the London Gazette dated 24th June 1916:

“For conspicuous gallantry during an enemy counter-attack. He rallied men of different regiments at a critical time and under heavy rifle fire. His efforts were successful in stopping the enemy.”

He was promoted Acting Lieutenant Colonel on 22nd August 1916 and Mentioned in Dispatches for the third time on 24th August 1916. He was appointed GSO 2nd Grade 8th Infantry Brigade I.E.F. “D” on the 18th November 1916. He was Mentioned in Dispatches for the fourth time on 10th April 1917. He was awarded The Order of St Stanislas announced in the London Gazette dated 15th May 1917.

He was appointed GSO 2nd Grade E.E.F. on 5th June 1918 and was Mentioned in Dispatches for the fifth time on 5th March 1919.

After the war he served as GSO 2nd Grade Upper Silesia Force 7th September 1921, promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 14th July 1924, appointed Instructor Senior Officers School 1924-26, promoted Colonel 2nd October 1929 and appointed 148th Brigade Commander. He retired in 1933 after 31 years distinguished service.

In World War 2 he was recalled in June 1940 to the General Staff Aldershot Command. Manager Administration Royal Ordnance Factory Chorley 1942-44, commanded 12th East Lancashire Bn Home Guard and finally No 24 Sector N.W. District, he died on 10th April 1950 while living in Basingbourne.

The full medal details are WWI The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George C.M.G. Companion’s Neck Badge, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, 1914 Star trio and date clasp with MID oakleaf, WWII Defence Medal BWM and Russian Order of St Stanislas third class with swords to Colonel E.G. Hamilton Conn Rang (Capt on star, Lt Col on BWM & Victory, remainder un-named as issued) swing mounted as worn (less CMG) in Spink case, CMG in Garrard case of issue.
Sold with original photo in uniform post WWI with ribbons, commission warrant dated 17/10/1902, DSO and CMG bestowal documents and statutes, 5 MID certificates, Home Guard certificate of service, officers blue service record book, pre-printed letter on disbandment of Connaught Rangers, copy of photo seated with Lord and Lady Allenby and 6 others all named, copies of various London Gazette entries, MIC, Supplement to Irish Life dated 28/7/16, farewell card from ROF Chorley, Who was Who 1950/1. An outstanding group to a very gallant officer with excellent supporting documentation.

Sold on behalf of the family, never before on the market.

WWII HMS Hood casualty group to RM Musician S.B. Groves

The HMS Hood casualty group to Royal Marine Musician Stedman Bishop Groves was offered in Warwick & Warwick’s auction on Wednesday 18th April 2012. Estimated at £350, it realised £1,121.

Stedman Bishop Groves was born on 4th October 1919 in Chatham, the son of Stedman and Florence Groves. The family later lived in Newbold-on-Avon in Warwickshire. He must have enlisted as a boy, as the lot comes with a photo album with the date of 1937 recorded. At the time he appears to have being serving on HMS Hood with the First Battle Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. The photo album with hand painted picture of Hood on outside cover contains 105 photos of HMS Hood, the band, other ships, crew, ports, foreign ships including German pocket battleship Deutschland in Gibraltar and German funeral parade of casualties of Spanish Civil War.

HMS Hood in company with the new battleship HMS Prince of Wales engaged the German battleship Bismark and heavy cruiser Prince Eugen in the Battle of the Denmark Strait. RMB/X 505 Musician Stedman Bishop Groves was killed in action at his action station oat the 15” Transmitting Station on 24th May 1941 when H.M.S. Hood was sunk by the German battleship Bismark with only 3 members of the crew surviving when a ship’s magazine exploded when struck by a 15 inch shell from the Bismark. With no known grave he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

The full medal details are father’s WWI 1914-15 star trio, KGV Admiral’s uniform Royal Navy LSGC and KGVI FID DEF Special Constabulary Long Service Medal to CH16762 S.G. Groves Cr Sgt R.M. and son’s WWII 1939-1945, Atlantic, Africa stars and BWM un-named as issued, swing mounted as worn by recipient’s mother. With silver football medal engraved R.M. Capital Ships F.T. 1938 Stedman Groves. Also with 2 photo albums belonging to his father containing 119 photos/postcards of ships, RMs ashore, Shanghai and area, few family, tourist etc. Also with 9ct gold photo locket with Royal Engineers cap badge on front (seems an odd choice for a naval family) containing photos of the son in uniform and his sister who died aged 6. Sold on behalf of the family, never before on the market.

WWI DCM & Bar, MM & Bar group to Pte Highmore A.S.C.

Alfred Ernest Highmore enlisted at Grove Park in the Army Service Corps on 23rd March 1915. He was aged 35, trade listed as Motor Driver and he was living in Paddington. His military training was obviously short as he embarked on the S.S. Viper on 30th April 1915 and disembarked the following day in Rouen. On the 15th May he was posted to 1st/2nd (Highland) Field Ambulance with whom he was to display such distinguished service as an ambulance driver.

His first gallantry award was the Military Medal announced in the London Gazette dated 28th September 1917. This is likely to be an award for the early battles of Third Ypres.

The Bar to the Military Medal was announced in the London Gazette dated 23rd February 1918. The Bar to the MM is listed on his service papers “For gallantry in the Field between Nov 20th and 24th 1917 by IV Corps Commander” this is a Battle of Cambrai award where 51st Division was heavily involved.

The Distinguished Conduct Medal was in the London Gazette dated 3rd September 1918:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. For 24 hours he worked the regimental aid-post and the front line, over roads under heavy fire, evacuating many severely wounded men. Was subsequently captured with a medical officer, but both escaped.” The DCM is listed on his papers “For gallantry 9th-15th April 1918” and is a German Spring Offensive award.

The Bar to the Distinguished Conduct Medal was in the London Gazette dated 10th January 1920: “During the operations N.E. of Cambrai he displayed marked gallantry throughout the period extending from 12th to 28th October 1918. On the 12th he took his car into Iwuy, and although the village was being heavily shelled, brought away three loads of wounded. Throughout he carried out his duties in an exemplary manner.”

He was discharged on 5th April 1919 aged 39 or 40. With research that there is thought to be only 15 other awards of DCM & Bar and MM & Bar, of these one also received the VC and another received a second bar to the DCM, therefore thought to be only 14 recipients with this combination, unique to Corps and extremely rare.

The full medal details are WWI Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar, Military Medal and Bar and 1914-15 star trio to M2-053918 Pte A.E. Highmore A.S.C. (M.M. M.T.A.S.C. on DCM, M.T.A.S.C. on MM). The group was offered in our February 15th 2012 auction, together with 10 copied pages of service record, copies of MIC, LG, etc. Estimated at £7,000, it realised £14,950.

WWI DSO & MC group to Capt W.J. Lloyd Lancashire Fusiliers

The 1918 Hindenburg Line Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross group to Captain William Joseph Lloyd Lancashire Fusiliers, attached to 5th Battalion West Riding Regiment, was offered in our auction on Wednesday 15th February 2012.
Estimated £2700, it realised £4,530.

William Joseph Lloyd enlisted in the Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry as a trooper, service number 3433 and arrived in France on 28th August 1915 with this unit. He was commissioned in the 7th Lancashire Fusiliers on the 26th March 1918 and subsequently attached to the 5th Battalion West Riding Regiment.

The DSO and MC were both announced in the London Gazette dated 1st February 1919.

The DSO was awarded “For great personal bravery and gallant leadership against .... (Havrincourt) and the Hindenburg Line between September 12th and 15th 1918, particularly on the 13th, when he was placed in charge of a bombing attack on the Hindenburg Line. The attack was held up by a close range machine gun fire which enfiladed a gap in the trench where the latter crosses a sunk road. Six of his men and another officer were killed in attempting to cross and there was momentary disorganisation. He at once rallied the attacking party and continued the advance, himself crossing and re-crossing the gap, several times and taking the greatest personal risks in order to encourage his men. He then led the attack up the trench, overcame the enemy resistance, capturing the objective, over twenty prisoners and a machine gun. In spite of the fact that a pocket of the enemy were in the rear and he was heavily counter-attacked, he held on to his position throughout the day thus enabling other attacks to succeed and the battalion objective to be gained. The very fine example of personal bravery exhibited by this officer, combined with good leadership, was largely responsible for the success of operations.”

The extended MC citation “For dashing leadership and great bravery during the operations resulting in the capture of the Crossings of Canal ...... (D’Escault). He forced the Crossings, and his great dash and fearless example quickly got his company across, he personally superintending the Crossing under heavy machine gun and shell fire. During the evening of the 28th September he led his Company in an attack on the German trenches, which were held by greatly superior numbers of the enemy. Here he was surrounded and cut off, with nine men from his Company. He at once ordered a charge, drove in thirty of the enemy as prisoners. At the same time an enemy counter-attack was launched on the left flank of the battalion, but his promptitude in organizing the available reserves and the gallant leading of this officer saved a dangerous situation and beat off the attack.”

He was Mentioned in Field Marshall Haig’s dispatches in the London Gazette dated 16th March 1919.

He was promoted Acting Captain from commanding a Company on 10th November 1918. He was later granted temporary Captain for service with King’s African Rifles on the 4th February 1925.

The full medal details are Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross and 1914-15 star trio with MID oakleaf to Capt W.J. Lloyd (3433 Pte D. of Lanc O. Yeo on star, 2nd Lt W.J. Lloyd Hindenburg Line 13th Sept 1918 on edge of 3 arms of DSO, 2nd Lt W.J. Lloyd D.S.O. Marcoing 27 Sept 1918 on MC) court mounted as worn with J.R. Gaunt label to reverse, with matching set of court mounted miniatures. Also with ribbon bar, cap badges for West Yorks, West Riding and Tanganyika Territory, original typed extended citations for DSO and MC. With framed DSO bestowal document, MID certificate, photos in Yeomanry uniform (marked Maxim Gun Section on reverse), Lanc Fus uniform as Capt with ribbons, 3 photos in tropical whites with medals. Also with a typed letter of congratulation from The Cunard Steam Ship Co, copies of MIC, LG entries.