GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
Moreover, the local Maquis put such supplies to good use, a 48-hour battle being fought against German troops in Mont-Mouchet in
early June; railway bridges being blown up at Chamalieres and Lavoute-sur-Loire in early August, in addition to ambushes being carried
out at Bellevue-la-Montague, Craponne-sur-Arzon and St. Geneys. And a week or two later, on the 19th, as referred to in McGarrigle’s
recommendation, the same resistance fighters captured Le Puy, a crowning action that led to the region finally being liberated early in
the following month. Meanwhile, the Maquis had been joined by S.A.S. Jedburgh team “Jeremy”.
McGarrigle was repatriated to the U.K. in November 1944, his debrief originally leading to him being recommended for the M.M., but
higher authority rightly upgraded his distinction to D.C.M. Moreover, as late as September 1989, he was issued with the France and
Germany Star, his application presumably having been accepted on account of the fact he was strictly a serving Guardsman at the time
of his gallant deeds with the Maquis (his service record confirms).
Advanced to Sergeant in July 1945, McGarrigle was placed on the Regular Army Reserve in April 1946; sold with original War Office
communication regarding a future presentation ceremony for the recipient’s D.C.M., dated 1 July 1946; together with photocopied
service record.
1296
A rare battle of Tamaii C.G.M. group of four awarded to Chief Gunner’s Mate William Rolfe, Royal Navy, for services
with the Gatling Gun detachment of the Naval Brigade
CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY MEDAL, V.R., 2nd issue (Wil... Rolfe, Grs. Mate, H.M.S. Euryalus) officially impressed naming;
SOUTH AFRICA 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (W. Rolfe, Leadg. Sean. H.M.S. “Shah”); EGYPT & SUDAN 1882-89, dated reverse, 2
clasps, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai (W. Ro..., .unrs. Mate, H.M.S. ....alus); KHEDIVE‘S STAR 1882, edge bruising and pitting
from star with some loss of naming detail, therefore fine or better (4) £9000-12000
One of only 4 C.G.Ms. awarded for the Sudan Campaign of 1884, all for the battle of Tamaii, 13 March 1884: ‘Gunner Rolfe had a
hand to hand encounter with one of the enemy, eventually despatching him.’
William Rolfe was born in 1854 and joined the Royal Navy as an underage Volunteer in April 1870. He re-engaged in October 1882
and was promoted steadily though the various ratings, specialising in gunnery, becoming Leading Seaman in 1877, Petty Officer 2nd
Class in 1879, Petty Officer 1st Class in 1880, Gunner’s Mate in 1881, and Chief Gunner’s Mate in 1886.
Rolfe served in several vessels and was in Shah when he served with the Naval Brigade during the Zulu War in 1879. Serving with the
Gatling Gun detachment he was present at the relief of Eshowe and at the battle of Gingindlove, when the boxer cartridges caused
jamming problems to the Gatlings. He served aboard H.M.S. Euryalus during the Egypt campaign of 1882, and with the Naval Brigade
in the Sudan campaign of 1884, when he was present with the Gatlings at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaii. For his services at the latter
battle he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 6 May 1884) and awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. Rolfe received
the medal for long service and good conduct in 1890 and retired from the Navy on 20 October 1892.
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