Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Regimental Sergeant-Major G. Bishop, The Rifle Brigade

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3272 C.S. Mjr. G. Bishop, 13/Rif. Brig.); 1914 Star, with (copy) clasp (3272 Pte. G. Bishop, 2/Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (3272 W.O. Cl. 2 Bishop, Rif. Brig.), polished, thus fine or better (4) £1500-1800

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919:

‘For conspicuous devotion to duty throughout the period 16-17 September to 11 November 1918. As Battalion Musketry Instructor he has consistently shown ability and keenness, which have been of the utmost value to his battalion. In action his gallantry has always been a splendid example to the men, and on several occasions his coolness and practical initiative have assisted in restoring a difficult situation.’

George Bishop, a native of Bedminster, Bristol, first went to France as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, on 7 November 1914. Enemy gunfire and casualties aside, the battalion’s war diary noted the severity of the prevailing weather - the men’s wet boots were often frozen to their feet and nearly 50 of them were evacuated with frostbite in November alone. Sheepskin coats were issued at the end of the month and white sheets for patrol work in the snow.

Bishop subsequently served in the 9th and 13th Battalions and it was in the latter unit, as a Company Sergeant-Major, that he won his D.C.M. Returning to regimental employ in the 1st and 2nd Battalions after the War, he was seconded to the Territorial Army in the mid-1930s, when he was appointed R.S.M. in the 17th Battalion, London Regiment (Tower Hamlets Rifles). He retired in December 1937; sold with copied photographs and research.