Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine O.B.E., D.C.M. and Bar group of nine awarded to Captain Richard Element, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and Nigeria Regiment, together with a Wilkinson presentation sword

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, O.B.E., 2nd type; DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (1721 A. Sjt., 2/R. War. R.); 1914 MONS STAR (Cpl., R. War. R.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (Sjt., R. War. R.); WAR MEDAL 1939-45; JUBILEE 1935; CORONATION 1937; ARMY L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (5094222 W.O. Cl. II, D.C.M., R. War. R.) the group mounted court style as worn, with a companion set of miniature dress medals, together with a fine presentation sword by Wilkinson Sword Ltd., the blade with etched inscription 'Presented to Capt. R. Element D.C.M. by the W.O's and B.N.C.O'S, 2nd Nigeria Regt. R.W.A.F.F., 12-12-1927', complete with its plated scabbard, nearly very fine or better (19)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Mike Minton.

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D.C.M., London Gazette, 5 August 1915, 2nd Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment: 'For conspicuous gallantry on the 16 May 1915, at Festubert. When his company was enfiladed and ordered to retire, he bandaged and, with the aid of another man, carried back a wounded man over 500 yards, a considerable portion of which was in the open, the communication trench being filled with dead and wounded.'

Bar to D.C.M., London Gazette, 3 October 1918, Nigeria Regiment (W.A.F.F.): 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. He has altogether proved to be a non-commissioned officer of sterling worth, and his services have been of the highest order, regularly performing his duties with the utmost zeal and constantly displaying the greatest coolness and courage in action. The History of the R.W.A.F.F. makes reference to the actions at Ngwembe, 23 January 1917, and Mahiwa, 15 October 1917, for this award, 'most marked was his gallantry'.

Richard Element enlisted in 1910 and shortly after the outbreak of war in August 1914, was drafted to the Western Front where after a few months active service he was wounded in action at Ghent. He was invalided home but, on his recovery in March 1915, returned to France and fought at Neuve Chapelle and in many other engagements until wounded a second time at Loos in September 1915. He was again invalided to England, and later proceeded to German East Africa, where he was transferred to the Nigerian Regt. and took part in the fighting on the Rufigi, and at Kilwa. He was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry in the field at Festubert in September 1915 and the bar for bravery displayed whilst in East Africa. He was awarded the O.B.E. in January 1939: 'Lieutenant (Quarter Master) (local Captain) Richard Element, D.C.M., Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, Staff Captain 'Q', The Nigeria Regiment, Royal West African Frontier Force.' Sold with extensive research.