Orders, Decorations and Medals Including five Special Collections

A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. Noel Gervase Bligh, Rifle Brigade, 2nd son of the 8th Earl of Darnley

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver gilt and enamels; 1914-15 Star (Capt. Hon., Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. Hon.); Defence and War Medals 1939-1945, mounted as worn, generally good very fine or better (6) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of of Great War Medals to the Rifle Brigade.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 16 September 1918. ‘This officer was in command of his battalion when it was heavily attacked. He went along the front line under intense artillery barrage, encouraging his men by his fine example. When the troops on his right were forced back he led up a support company in full view of the enemy and formed a defensive flank. When forced to retire he kept his battalion well in hand, and contested every inch of the way.’

Despatches twice London Gazette 24 May and 28 December 1918.

Noel Gervase Bligh was educated at Eton and Sandhurst and joined the 4th Bn. Rifle Brigade at Malta in 1908. He was promoted lieutenant in 1911 but resigned later that year. He was recalled in 1914, promoted captain and joined the 3rd Rifle Brigade in the trenches at Chapelle d’Armentieres in November. In May 1915 he transferred to the depleted 2nd Bn. where he commanded “B” Company until wounded at Bois Grenier on 25th September 1915 during the Battle of Loos. He was an instructor at the 3rd Army Infantry School 1916-17 until posted to the 9th (Service) Bn. as second-in-command in April. The battalion was in action at Arras and Third Ypres and in December he assumed command on the death of the C.O. He was on leave when the German onslaught came in March 1918 but hurried back to the battalion and won his D.S.O. after several weeks of heavy fighting. The battalion was broken up after the retreat and he was given command of the composite 7th/8th/9th Battalion until that was disbanded in August. He was then an instructor at the Senior Officers School until demobilised. He rejoined in 1940 and commanded a battalion of the Pioneer Corps, 1944-45. A member of Lloyds and several golf clubs and a vice-president of the London Branch of the R.B. Club, he remained involved with the regiment until his death in 1984.

Sold with a copy group photograph.