Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of five awarded to Major J. Joyce, an early member of the Motor Machine Gun Service which became the Machine Gun Corps

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, G.V.R., complete with top suspension; MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R.; 1914-15 STAR (Capt., M.G.C.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. (Major) together with enamelled M.G.C. lapel badge, good very fine (5)

D.S.O., London Gazette, 16 September 1918. 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a machine gun company. It was due in a great degree to his magnificent example and great courage that a position was enabled to be held for so long. Later he collected a party of stragglers and with two of his guns and two trench mortars, he held up a hostile advance. During his defence he was severely wounded, but refused to leave his post and it was not until the enemy had almost surrounded him that he withdrew to a fresh position, being himself the last to leave. His courage and ability throughout were deserving of the highest praise.'

M.C., London Gazette, 17 September, 1917. 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of machine guns. During an attack upon a strongly fortified position he moved about with complete disregard of the intense hostile shell fire visiting all his teams and keeping them in action by his splendid personal example of coolness. Three of his guns were put out of action and his teams had twenty-four casualties. His exceptional fearlessness and ability cannot be too highly praised.'

M.I.D., London Gazette, 15 June, 1916, 24 December 1917 and 30 December 1918.

Joseph Joyce was gazetted temporary Second Lieutenant for Motor Machine Gun Services on 2 January 1915. The list of officers in this new unit takes just one page in the Army List for May 1915. He is listed under Machine Gun Service for his first M.I.D. in June 1916, immediately following Machine Gun Corps which was by now in existence. He was promoted temporary Major in the Machine Gun Corps (Motors) on 14 July 1916 and subsequently served with the 24th battalion, Machine Gun Corps, with whom he won both decorations. Major Joyce's D.S.O. was awarded for the action at Le Verguier on 22 March 1918, the second day of the great German Spring Offensive. The 24th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, together with the 8th Queen's, made a 'desperate defence' at Le Verguier: a very weak battalion with some machine guns held up two German divisions for some hours and then slipped away unmolested. The Germans had planned to capture Le Verguier 24 hours earlier.