Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Salonica’ M.C. awarded to Captain G. D. Boissier, 7th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘Capt. G. D. Boissier. 7th Oxf. & Bucks Lt. Infy. December 1917’, mounted on investiture pin, good very fine £500-£600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918.

The following extract is taken from the Memorial Record of the Seventh (Service) Battalion, O. & B.L.I.:

‘Snevce and the Vardar [Salonika] (May-Dec., 1917) - The Battalion was once more relieved by the 11th Worcesters on 1st December, but B Company returned to Crow Hill two days later to act as a Reserve to the 11th Worcesters while they raided Flat Iron and Diamond Hills. This raid, carried out by two Companies, was unfortunately unsuccessful, and resulted in a good many casualties.
It was then intimated that we should have to do a raid and capture prisoners who were urgently required for identification purposes. With this end in view Lieut. Boissier and a small patrol made two very careful reconnaissances of Flat Iron and Diamond Hills on the 9th and 10th December. On the latter date an enemy post at the foot of Flat Iron Hill caused the patrol two casualties; and Lieut. Thomas and 47 other ranks raided the post in question, captured one man and killed or put to flight the remainder of the garrison.
For this very successful exploit Lieut. Boissier afterwards received the M.C. Lieut. Thomas also particularly distinguished himself on this occasion, as did Sergt. W. Simons, Sergt. A. J. Ross and Corpl. J. H. Smith.’

Geoffrey Dumaresque Boissier was born in the Parish of Nelthrop, near Banbury, Oxfordshire, on 31 August 1890, and attested for the 4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford on 31 August 1914. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, in which battalion his brother held a commission, on 29 December 1914. He served in France from 23 July 1915, and afterwards with the 7th Battalionin Salonika. He was wounded on 24 March 1916, gunshot wound and shrapnel right arm; promoted temporary Lieutenant, 12 May 1916; held acting rank of Captain from 17-25 March 1918; promoted temporary Captain, 3 May 1918; released, 2 May 1919; relinquished commission, 1 September 1921. Sold with copied Medal Index Card and Correspondence file.

For the D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant Ross see Lot 160.