Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 128
A Great War 1917 ‘Battle of Passchendaele’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant J. D. McNeil, 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), Canadian Infantry, who was also wounded in action and gassed during the course of the war
Military Medal, G.V.R. (222432 Cpl - Sjt: - J. D. McNeil. 85/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (222432 Sjt. J. D. McNeil. 85 - Can. Inf.) mounted for display, nearly extremely fine (3)
£300-£400 M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918. The original recommendation states:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action on Passchendaele Ridge between 28th and 30th October 1917. While in support trenches he rushed out under heavy shell fire, dressing and carrying in wounded. Later, during the advance, when his platoon commander became a casualty, he rallied his platoon, led them gallantly forward, capturing a strong point and going on to the objective, where he used excellent judgement and skill in reorganising, consolidating and arranging the posts.’
J. D. McNeil was born in Baddeck, Nova Scotia and enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in October 1915. He served during the Great War with the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), Canadian Infantry in the French theatre of war from 8 March 1917.
McNeil received a shrapnel wound to the left thigh, 20 June 1917. He was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry in the Battle of Passchendaele, during which he was gassed. McNeill returned to Canada in September 1918, and was discharged in February 1919.
129
A Great War ‘Egyptian theatre’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance Corporal W. Daniels, Royal Engineers
Military Medal, G.V.R. (33144 Sapr. - A. L. Cpl. W. Daniels. 14/A.T. Coy. R.E.) edge bruise; 1914-15 Star (33144 Spr: W. Daniels. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (33144 Spr. W. Daniels. R.E.) mounted for display, very fine or better (4)
£300-£340 M.M. London Gazette 10 April 1918 (Egypt).
Walter Daniels was a native of Hazelgrove, near Stockport. He served during the Great War with the Royal Engineers in the Egyptian theatre of war from 24 August 1915. Having advanced to Lance Corporal, Daniels was awarded his M.M. for service with the 14th Army Troops Company, R.E.
130
A good Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal R. Vickers, 18th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry during a night assault on a German patrol in No Man’s Land, 8 March 1918. The patrol encounter was led by Lieutenant J. Maxwell (later V.C., M.C. and Bar, D.C.M.] at 2 am between Pont Rouge and Moat Farm, Somme. Both Vickers and Maxwell were decorated for the action, and three days later Vickers was gassed whilst still serving at the front
Military Medal, G.V.R. (4557 Pte. - L. Cpl. - R. Vickers. 18/Aust: Inf:) very fine M.M. London Gazette 25 April 1918. The original recommendation (jointly listed with three others) states:
‘For gallantry and dash in a patrol encounter in no-man's land at Pont Rouge on the morning of 8th instant [March 1918]. It was due to the action of Ptes. Vickers, Marshall and Madden that the enemy were made to stand. Our patrol was returning to our lines covered by the patrol officer and Ptes. Vickers, Marshall and Madden, when they noticed a German patrol, strength about 30, enter an old sap. The officer went off to organise the main patrol for an assault, whilst the remainder of the covering party engaged the enemy with rifle fire and bombs, which was returned. When the patrol came up Sgt. Bishop and Ptes. Vickers, Marshall and Madden rushed the trench from a flank and routed the enemy, who cleared off in the darkness, leaving behind one wounded and 3 dead Germans.’
Richard Vickers was born in Manchester, England, and was a seaman by trade prior to the Great War. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Casula, New South Wales, 1 December 1915. Vickers served with the 18th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 5th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division in the French theatre of war from September 1916.
Vickers was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry during a patrol lead by Lieutenant J. Maxwell (later V.C., M.C. and Bar, D.C.M. and Australia’s second most decorated soldier of the Great War), 8 March 1918. At 2am on the latter date Maxwell led 26 men out on patrol in No Man’s Land between Pont Rouge and Moat Farm, Somme - their express purpose to engage any enemy patrols that they may encounter. Vickers was at the forefront of the assault on the German patrol they encountered, and was awarded the M.M., whilst Maxwell was awarded the Military Cross for his part in the action.
Vickers was gassed three days after the assault, 11 March 1918. He returned to Australia in H.T. Ypiringa, and was discharged 4 September 1919. During the latter stages of the war Vickers was listed as suffering from Pleurisy and Bronchitis.
all lots are illustrated on our website
www.dnw.co.uk and are subject to buyers’ premium at 20% (+VAT where applicable) £700-£900
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256 |
Page 257 |
Page 258 |
Page 259 |
Page 260 |
Page 261 |
Page 262 |
Page 263 |
Page 264 |
Page 265 |
Page 266 |
Page 267 |
Page 268 |
Page 269 |
Page 270 |
Page 271 |
Page 272 |
Page 273 |
Page 274 |
Page 275 |
Page 276 |
Page 277 |
Page 278 |
Page 279 |
Page 280 |
Page 281 |
Page 282 |
Page 283 |
Page 284 |
Page 285 |
Page 286 |
Page 287 |
Page 288 |
Page 289 |
Page 290 |
Page 291 |
Page 292 |
Page 293 |
Page 294 |
Page 295 |
Page 296 |
Page 297 |
Page 298 |
Page 299 |
Page 300 |
Page 301 |
Page 302 |
Page 303 |
Page 304 |
Page 305 |
Page 306 |
Page 307 |
Page 308 |
Page 309 |
Page 310 |
Page 311 |
Page 312 |
Page 313 |
Page 314 |
Page 315 |
Page 316 |
Page 317 |
Page 318 |
Page 319 |
Page 320 |
Page 321 |
Page 322 |
Page 323 |
Page 324 |
Page 325 |
Page 326 |
Page 327 |
Page 328 |
Page 329 |
Page 330 |
Page 331 |
Page 332 |
Page 333 |
Page 334 |
Page 335 |
Page 336 |
Page 337 |
Page 338 |
Page 339 |
Page 340 |
Page 341 |
Page 342 |
Page 343
