The Daly Family Medals 753
The Great War pair awarded to Second Lieutenant W. C. T. Daly, 3rd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, who was mortally wounded in France in August 1916
British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. W. C. T. Daly.) contained in a contemporary ‘Rifle’ green leather hinged front display stand, the outer lid gold-embossed ‘Cecil.’, extremely fine (2)
£200-£260
William Cecil Thomas Daly, known as Cecil, was born at Dunsandle, County Galway, on 4 February 1897, second son of William Daly, of Dunsandle, County Galway, J.P., D.L. He was educated at St Anthony’s, Eastbourne, and Downside College, near Bath. He entered the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in February 1915, was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade, 11 August following, and attached to the 5th Battalion in the Isle of Sheppey. He went to France on 5 June 1916, and joined the 3rd Battalion. He was killed in action in the attack on Guillemont Station, on the Somme front, on 18 August 1916, aged nineteen and a half. He was leading a bombing platoon at the time, and had reached a German trench, when he was hit by a bullet, and died some hours later.
His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel R. Pigot, wrote to Mrs Daly: “He had reached the German trench and had behaved in a most gallant way, earning the admiration of Officers, N.C.O’s and men of his Company. He was hit by a bullet in his chest - the doctor assured me that nothing could have saved him. I saw him and spoke to him before he died, and though he was in some pain he was quite cheerful.”
Another officer, M. T. Boscawen, wrote: “As Cecil had been in my Company since he had come out to France, I feel you will like to know as much as I can tell you of the facts of his death. On the 18th the Battalion was ordered to attack the German trenches to the north of Guillemont and take the station, and it was during this attack that Cecil was killed. He had charge of the Bombing Platoon which was in the second line, but as the first line was held up he brought his men up and while giving orders he received a bullet in the neck. He was bandaged up by his sergeant and put in a shell hole while the Batt. took the trenches, and in the evening he was taken down to the dressing station - on the way down I passed him and talked to him, but when he got down to the dressing station he passed away, close by to which he was buried - this at the N.W. corner of Beaufay Wood.
I can’t tell you how I shall miss him and what a loss he is to the Coy, but I am sure he died as he would have wished, leading his men at close quarters with the enemy. Of the four officers in my Company who took part in the attack all were killed, but we took the trenches and a large number of prisoners, and although they did not live to see it themselves, others know and appreciate their work.”
Sold with contemporary copies of the above two letters, and another from Arthur Buxton, Chaplain, 3rd Rifle Brigade; Buckingham Palace and War Office P.O. Telegrams to Mrs Daly; a pencil sketch of his original grave marker and a pencil sketch map of its location.
754
The First and Second World War group of eight awarded to Colonel D. W. Daly, 8th Hussars, later Pioneer Corps with whom he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the O.B.E. for distinguished services in North West Europe 1944 -45 with First Canadian Army
1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. D. W. Daly. 8. Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. D. W. Daly.); General Service 1918 -62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Lieut. D. W. Daly.) these four mounted as worn; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine or better (8)
£260-£300
O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 21 June 1945: Colonel (temporary) Denis William Daly, Pioneer Corps (Blessington, Eire). ‘For gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’
The recommendation, by Colonel Beverley Matthews, AQ HQ First Canadian Arm, states: ‘As Deputy Director of Labour First Canadian Army, Colonel Daly has performed the difficult task of meeting the heavy demands on his service with outstanding success. With limited resources at his disposal he has shown such skill and foresight in the direction and co-ordination of the work of his units that no operation or maintenance plan has ever failed for want of labour. Indefatigable in his devotion to duty, he has at all times maintained the closest personal contact with all units under his command throughout the Army area and has thereby ensured the highest standard of efficiency and morale. His conspicuous ability, foresight and willing co-operation have made a most valuable contribution to the success of the campaign and do honour to the corps in which he serves.’
M.I.D. London Gazette 10 May 1945.
Denis William Daly was born on 12 December 1894, eldest son of William Daly, of Dunsandle, County Galway, J.P., D.L. He was educated at St Anthony’s, Eastbourne, and Downside College, near Bath. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 8th Hussars on 11 November 1914, and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 September 1915 to 19 April 1916, on which date he was promoted to Lieutenant, and from 30 August to 11 November 1918; he was twice wounded. He subsequently served in the Iraq operations 1919-20. Promoted to Captain on 4 October 1923, he retired from the 8th Hussars on 13 January 1932, but was promoted to the Brevet of Major (Reserve of Officers) on 11 September 1939, and Honorary Colonel on 27 October 1945. Colonel Daly died on 22 September 1954.
Sold with a portrait photograph, believed to be of the recipient, in uniform, in a bronzed metal frame surmounted by the badge of the 9th Lancers (to which regiment he does not appear to have been connected in any way).
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