A Collection of Army Gallantry Awards to the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, and the Royal Air Force 171


A rare Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. and M.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Petty Officer W. J. Gallagher, Hood Battalion, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, a survivor of service with the ill-fated Collingwood Battalion on Gallipoli, described by General Hamilton as being “practically destroyed” during the attack of 4 June 1915, and was recipient of one of only two D.C.M./M.S.M. combinations awarded to the Royal Navy


Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (CZ-1672 C.P.O.W. J. Gallagher. Hood: Bn: R.N.V.R.); 1914-15 Star (C.Z.-1672. W. J. Gallagher, C.P.O., R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (M.Z. 1672W. J. Gallagher. C.P.O. R.N.V.R.) VM officially re-impressed; Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (CZ-1672 C.P.O. W. J. Callagher [sic]. Hood. Bn: R.N.V.R.); together with the recipient’s riband bar for the first three awards; a scarce Hood Battalion cap badge; and two original Royal Naval Division Chief Petty Officer badges, light contact marks, generally very fine and better and a rare combination (5)


£2,400-£2,800


D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919, citation published 11 March 1920: ‘Since June, 1915, he has shown the greatest devotion to duty, both in and out of the line. He has never failed to personally deliver the rations in the line, through often under heavy shell fire. From 15 October, 1917, to 15 April, 1918, and again during the operations of August, 1918, he was acting as Battalion Quartermaster, and during the March retreat rendered the most invaluable services.’


The published citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal above is actually extracted from the recommendation for the recipient’s Meritorious Service Medal by Commander H. B. Pollock, R.N.V.R., Commanding Hood Battalion, dated 22 September 1918. The original recommendation for Gallagher’s D.C.M., by Commander W. M. le C. Edgerton, R.N.V.R., Commanding Hood Battalion, dated 27 January 1918, states: ‘On the night of 19 January 1918 C.P.O. Gallagher, the Hood Battalion Q.M.S. and Acting Quartermaster, accompanied the limbers conveying water and rations to the Battalion in the Front Line on Highland Ridge. The enemy put down a heavy barrage on Beaucamp, and owing to this a traffic block occurred at Charing Cross. C.P.O. Gallagher went ahead to where the block had occurred, found out that a convoy of G.S. Wagons and pontoons conveying trench boards was held up, and at once gave orders for those drivers who had unhooked their horses to rehook them and stand by to move forward. He then went forward through the shelling to see if the road was passable. Finding it was, he returned and went forward with his battalion convoy through the barrage, giving a lead to the R.E. convoy who were about to return. By his initiative, quick action, and courage he enabled much needed stores, rations and water to be got forward to the Front Line, and but for the courageous way in which he reconnoitred the road, which was damaged by the shelling, and the leadership he displayed in taking charge of the traffic, probably no transport would have got forward.’


M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919: ‘In recognition of valuable service rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders.’


The original Recommendation, by Commander H. B. Pollock, R.N.V.R., Commanding Hood Battalion, dated 22 September 1918, states: ‘Since June 1915 he has shown the greatest devotion to duty, both when the Battalion has been in the line and out of the line. He has never failed to personally deliver the rations in the line, though often under heavy shell fire. During the March retreat he was acting as Battalion Quarter Master, and did most invaluable work. He has been recommended for the D.C.M. for bravery and devotion to duty under shell fire, and has acted as Battalion Quarter Master from 15 October 1917 to 15 April 1918, in the most capable and efficient manner. This N.C.O. was recommended for the D.C.M. for services at Welsh Ridge but was not awarded the same.’


William James Gallagher was born in Glasgow on 7 January 1893, and enlisted into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at Crystal Palace on 31 October 1914. He was posted to the Collingwood Battalion, which had only recently returned with the rest of the Royal Naval Division from the failed expedition to defend Antwerp.


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