Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

A good Italian theatre ‘stretcher bearers’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant W. Neilson, 10th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7010 Pte., 10/North’d. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (7010 Sjt., North’d. Fus.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (7010 Cpl., North’d. Fus.); together with an erased British War Medal, some edge bruising and contact wear, therefore nearly very fine (4) £500-600

D.C.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918 (‘... distinguished services in connection with Military Operations with the British Forces in Italy.) ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown consistently fine work in many actions as a strecher bearer. On various occasions during heavy fighting he went volunarily forward, and at great personal risk, to the aid of wounded of other units, and his courage, coolness and energy were beyond praise.’

His entry in The National Roll of The Great War for Bradford states: ‘Volunteering in August 1914 he proceeded to France early in 1915 and fought at Ypres and on the Somme. Transferring to the Italian Front in 1917, he was awarded the D.C.M. for bringing in wounded under heavy fire.’