Orders, Decorations and Medals

Germany, Empire, Franco-Prussian War group of five awarded to Sergeant Friedrich Wilhelm Doetzel, Koeniglichen General Kommando, comprising Iron Cross 1870, 2nd class; König-Gratz Cross 1866; Campaign of 1870-71; Long Service bar, 2nd class; Austria, Bravery Medal, Franz Joseph I, large silver medal, together with two original photographs, Military Pass Book, and original warrants for the Iron Cross, Long Service decoration and Austrian Bravery Medal, good very fine (5) £200-250

Ex Payne Collection.

Sergeant Friedrich Wilhelm Doetzel was born on 23 July 1842, at Kindelbrüeck, in the district of Erfurt, Prussia. He was a musician by profession and entered the army in May 1862, as a volunteer in the Pommershe Infantry Regiment, No.21; he transferred to Infantry Regiment No. 56 in January 1866, and to the Hussar Regiment ‘Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, King of Hungaria’, Schleswig-Holstein, No. 16, in September 1867. He was wounded in the war against Austria in 1866, and again in the war against France, 1870-71, on 8 October 1870, when he was shot through the thigh and the left foot in a sudden attack at Ablis. In consequence, he was declared a complete invalid for life from 6 April 1887, and, partly unable to work, was discharged from the Hussar Regiment No. 16.

Note: the Austrian Bravery Medal was not present in the group when in Dr Payne’s collection and has been added since.