GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
“To the memory of a brave soldier, Sergt-Major John Allen, who rode in the ranks of the 13th Light Dragoons at the Charge of
Balaklava, Oct. 25th 1854. He died at Leek, July 30th 1894 aged 68. To his memory by a few of his fellow townsmen and past and
present officers and men of the Leek Troop of the Staffs Q.O.R.Y. of which for many years he was Sergeant Major.”
In a letter to Canon W. M. Lummis, M.C., dated 12 January 1962, the Librarian of the Leek Urban District Council Public Library
claimed to have a “Turkish fez and Crimean medal presented to him” [presumably the Turkish Crimea medal]. However, a letter from
the District Council to the late Jim Boys in January 1992 states that “the only item which we hold which relates to Sergeant Major Allen
is a funeral card dated 2 August 1894. We are unaware of any medals belonging to him.” Sold with correspondence from Canon
Lummis and Jim Boys.
817
A Boer War ‘Defence of Ladysmith’ D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Private Charles Sands, Royal Sussex Regiment,
late Rifle Brigade
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, E.VII.R. (2254 Pte., Rifle Bde.); QUEEN’S SUDAN 1896-98 (2254 Pte., 2/R. Bde.); QUEEN’S SOUTH
AFRICA 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (2254 Pte., Rifle Brigade); KING’S SOUTH AFRICA
1901-02, 2 clasps (2254 Pte., Rifle Brigade); 1914-15 STAR (347 Pte., R. Suss. R.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (347 Pte.,
R. Suss. R.); KHEDIVE’S SUDAN 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum, unnamed, edge bruising, contact marks, good fine and better
(8) £2400-2800
D.C.M. London Gazette 27 November 1900.
Charles Sands was born in Hayes, Bromley, Kent. Having formerly served with the Sussex R.F.A. Volunteers, he enlisted into the Army
and served with the Rifle Brigade. With the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, he served in the Sudan and in South Africa. For his services at
the Defence of Ladysmith, Sands was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. After the war, Sands was discharged as time expired
and was employed as a Groom. With the onset of the Great War he attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment on 1 September 1914, aged
43 years, 3 months. Serving with the 8th Battalion, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 24 July 1915 and remained there
until August 1916. Returning to England, he was then posted to the 23rd Battalion Training Reserve. In March 1917 he was transferred
to the Agricultural Company Department of the Labour Corps. Sands was transferred to the Class Z Reserve on 13 March 1919.
With ‘South Africa 1900’ Christmas Tin (empty); copied attestation papers of 1914, m.i.c. and other research.
818
A Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant S. L. Ridgway, 8th West Riding Regiment
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. (12439 Sjt. S. L. Ridgway, 8/W. Rid. R.); 1914-15 STAR (12439 L-Cpl. S. L. Ridgeway,
W. Rid. R.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (12439 A.C.Sjt. S. L. Ridgway, W. Rid. R.) mounted as worn, the first with
repaired suspension which no longer swivels, edge bruising and contact marks but generally very fine (4) £800-1000
D.C.M. London Gazette 17 April 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and consistent good work. He invariably displayed coolness, courage and powers of
leadership. On one occasion he led his platoon with great success when his platoon commander became a casualty.’
819
A Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Driver J. Gilbert, Royal Artillery
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. (805185 Dvr. J. Gilbert, R.F.A.); 1914-15 STAR (1638 Dvr. J. Gilbert, R.F.A.); BRITISH
WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (1638 Dvr. J. Gilbert, R.A.), mounted as worn, possible minor official correction to surname on
the first, somewhat polished, thus nearly very fine or better (4) £600-700
D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919:
‘At Bellenglise on 29 September 1918, during the attack a direct hit on the gun pit killed or wounded the whole detachment, except
himself. He showed a splendid example of coolness and gallantry in continuing to load and fire the gun without a pause, with the
assistance of the only man not too severely wounded to help him.’
John Gilbert, a native of Stone, Staffordshire, first entered the French theatre of war as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery in February
1915 and was awarded his D.C.M. for the above cited deeds while serving in A/231st (North Midland) Brigade, R.F.A.
www.dnw.co.uk
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