A Collection of Medals to the Guards Machine Gun Regiment

A rare Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal V. B. Polden, Coldstream Guards and Guards Machine Gun Regiment, who was subsequently wounded at the crossing of the River Selle on 20 October 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (633 Pte. -L Cpl.- V. B. Polden. 2/Gds: Bde: M.G. Gds:); 1914-15 Star (15561 Pte. V. B. Polden. C. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (15561 Cpl. V. B. Polden. C. Gds.) mounted court-style for display, nearly extremely fine, rare to unit (4) £2,400-£2,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Guards Machine Gun Regiment.

View
Collection

One of only 23 D.C.M.s to the Guards Machine Gun Companies and Guards Machine Gun Regiment combined.

D.C.M. London Gazette 28 March 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was, with a sub-section of machine guns, advancing in support of the infantry attack, when his officer and sergeant were wounded. He thereupon took charge of the two guns, carrying out the final instructions given him by his officer faithfully, and sent back a valuable report to headquarters on the situation. Later, though he perceived some infantry parties withdrawing on his flank, he hung onto his position, thus protecting the Brigade flank. The personal gallantry and skill with which he handled this sub-section gave evidence of exceptional qualities of leadership, and materially helped to save the withdrawal from becoming general.’

Victor Bruce Polden was born in 1895 and attested for the 4th Battalion, Coldstream Guards on 25 February 1915. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 November 1915, and was posted to the 2nd Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company on 1 February 1917; the 2nd Guards Machine Gun Company had been formed in September 1915 from the machine gun elements of 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, and 2nd Battalion Irish Guards.

Polden was promoted Corporal on 27 February 1918, and having been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, was wounded by gun shot to right arm at the crossing of the River Selle on 20 October 1918. Discharged on account of his wounds on 15 March 1919, he was awarded a Silver War Badge no. B329643.

Sold with copied service papers and other research.