Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An extremely rare Great War D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Captain G. C. Andrews, New Zealand Forces, late 2nd Dragoons, in which latter regiment he was decorated for gallantry at Bourlon Wood in November 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20858 S.S. Mjr. G. C. Andrews, 2/Dgns.); 1914 Star, with clasp (5817 Sjt. G. C. Andrews, 2/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (2 Dn.-5817 W.O. Cl. 2 G. C. Andrews, 2-Dns.); War Medal 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (390655 W.O. Cl. II G. C. Andrews, D.C.M., The Greys); New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (W.O. 1 G. C. Andrews, N.Z.P.S.), the Great War period awards with contact marks and polished, nearly very fine, the remainder rather better, and undoubtedly a unique combination to the 2nd Dragoons (8) £2400-2800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals The Property of a Gentleman.

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Just 17 D.C.Ms were awarded to the 2nd Dragoons in the Great War.

D.C.M. London Gazette 23 March 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although knocked down by a shell he kept his platoon together during a critical situation when a relief was being carried out under heavy fire. He collected tools and weapons that had been cut off by a barrage and attended to and arranged the evacuation of the wounded.’

Grosvenor Cecil Andrews, who was born in Kensington, London in July 1884, first entered the French theatre of war in the rank of Sergeant on 17 August 1914, later served as Squadron Sergeant-Major, and was awarded his D.C.M. for the above cited deeds at Bourlon Wood on 28 November 1917, in addition to winning a mention in despatches (London Gazette 11 December 1917), the ribbon of the former distinction being presented to him at a parade at Ennemain in mid-February 1918.

In May 1924, while serving as a Regimental Quarter-Master Sergeant at Risalpur, Andrews applied to join the New Zealand Armed Forces, an application supported by General Birdwood, then G.O.C., Northern Command, India, and shortly afterwards he was appointed a Staff Sergeant on the New Zealand Permanent Staff. In August 1933, having served as a Mounted Rifles Instructor in Auckland, he was appointed Regimental Sergeant-Major in the North Auckland Mounted Rifles, but on the renewal of hostilities, transferred to duties at Ngaruawahia mobilisation camp. Here, due to overwork, he was granted sick leave, prior to being appointed an Area Instructor and granted a Quarter-Master’s commission in May 1940.

Thus ensued a number of appointments connected with the training of mounted troops, in which work he gained advancement to Assistant Area Staff Officer in December 1943. Then in August 1944, he became Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, The Auckland Regiment, and later still, of the 1st Battalion, North Auckland Regiment, and he was finally placed on the Retired List in the rank of Captain & Quarter-Master in January 1946.

His M.S.M., announced in NZAL/33 of the same month, was presented to him at a special parade held at Whangarei High School; sold with a file of research, including photocopied photographs - a full account of the recipient’s career may be found in Service Lives Remembered, Chamberlain’s definitive listing of New Zealand M.S.Ms 1895-1994).