GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY 1199 Family group:
A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant W. G. Humphries, Royal Air Force, late Canadian Artillery MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 STAR (6113 Gnr. W. G. Humphries, R. Can. H. Art.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (Lieut. W. G. Humphries, R.A.F.), together with a set of related dress miniature medals, a uniform button, his cap badge and ‘For Service at the Front’ badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘305547’, , generally good very fine
The Great War campaign group of three awarded to Staff Sergeant J. H. Humphries, Canadian Artillery, late 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry 1914-15 STAR (76047 Pte. J. H. Humphries, 29/Can. Inf.); BRITISHWAR ANDVICTORYMEDALS (76047 S. Sjt. J. H. Humpries, 29- Can. Inf.), mounted as worn, together with his ‘For Service at the Front’ badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘24906’ and his 29th (Vancouver) Canadian Infantry cap badge, these a little polished, nearly very fine or better (Lot) £800-1000
M.C. London Gazette 5 July 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as Liaison Officer with the attacking infantry. While on his way to Battalion H.Q. he showed great gallantry in attending to two of his men who were wounded. He carried out his work with the greatest skill, and continually sent in most valuable information. He showed splendid energy and judgment.’
William Gilbert Humphries, who was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, in April 1889, enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Vancouver in September 1914 and was posted to the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery on being embarked for France in July 1915. Advanced to Bombardier in the Field in March 1916, he was appointed to a commission in the temporary rank of Lieutenant that June, and was awarded his M.C. in respect of the above cited deeds on attachment to 4th Brigade, C.F.A. Subsequently transferring to the Royal Air Force in May 1918, he qualified as an Observer and was posted to ‘M’ Flight in France in October 1918. Returning to the U. K. in January 1919, he was re-embarked for Canada and demobilised shortly thereafter. Sold with copied service record.
James Herbert Humphries, who, in common with his brother William, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Vancouver in February 1915. Embarked for France with the 29th (Vancouver) Battalion, Canadian Infantry in September 1915, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery that November, presumably to join his brother William. But he was invalided to the U.K. as a result of synovitis in his right knee in October 1916, effectively the end of his active service career, and he was discharged back in Vancouver in November 1917. He died in April 1977. Sold with original War Service Badge certificates (2), in respect of services in France and England, dated in February 1918, and copied service record.
1200 A Great War M.C. group of five attributed to 2nd Lieutenant H. Dowdall, Royal Engineers
MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; VICTORY MEDAL 1914-19 (2 Lieut. H. Dowdall), official late issue from the 1930s; JUBILEE 1935; CORONATION 1937; CORONATION 1953, very fine and better (5)
£500-600 M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and coolness. On the night of 16-17 October 1918, near Le Cateau, he was in command of a composite party of Engineers and Pioneers, 100 strong, ordered to place four foot-bridges across the river Selle preparatory to an assault at daybreak. In the face of close-range machine-gun fire he successfully led each section of his party down to the river bank, placed the bridges in position, crossed over, and cut the wire on the opposite bank.’
Herbert Dowdall first went out to France in April 1918 and was decorated for the above cited deeds while serving in 431st (East Lancashire) Field Company, R.E..
Sold with verification for the Coronation Medal 1953, awarded to the recipient in his capacity of Chairman of the Goole Rural District Council, and copied MIC entry which reveals he did not claim his British War & Victory Medals until October 1938.
1201
A Second World War ‘Salerno’ M.C. group of six attributed to Major A. R. Hill, 2/4th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, killed in action, Italy, 12 November 1944
MILITARY CROSS,
G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR, clasp, 1st Army; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS, all unnamed, mounted for wear, extremely fine (6)
£600-700 M.C. London Gazette 13 January 1944.
Citation: ‘On 9th September 1943, Lieutenant Hill set a fine example of courage and coolness in the Salerno area. ‘D’ Company had been put ashore in an unexpected order and was under fire continuously from enemy tanks and infantry. Lieutenant Hill continuously encouraged and exhorted the men, many of whom were under fire for the first time, and with great coolness directed their fire and spotted targets.
On subsequent occasions he has set a wonderful example of coolness, courage and indifference to enemy fire.’
Anthony Raworth Hill was the son of The Rev. William Alfred Hill,
L.Th., and Ida Gwendoline Hill, of Hootan Pagnell Vicarage, Doncaster. He was educated at Worksop College and Keble College, Oxford. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 10 February 1940, he was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1941 and Temporary Captain in September 1943. Awarded the M.C. for his bravery and leadership at the Salerno landings. He was three months in hospital, with wounds, after the date he won the M.C. He was killed in action on 12 November 1944.
With named condolence slip; newspaper cuttings re. his service and M.C. award; M.C. citation; memorial card, and copied service and casualty details
www.dnw.co.uk
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