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

A fine Great War Neuve Chapelle 1915 D.C.M. group of four awarded to 2nd Lieutenant T. Dooley, Leicestershire Regiment: he was killed in action a few weeks later - having been commissioned in the Field

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7149 C.S. Mjr. T. Dooley, 2/Leic. Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (7149 C. Sjt., 2/Leic. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.), good very fine or better (4) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Leicester Regiment and Yeomanry formed by the late Trevor Harris.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and marked ability near Neuve Chapelle from 10-13 March 1915. He showed great resource in the able handling of his men under fire, and also in strengthening the positions captured from the enemy.’

The following article appeared in the Coalville Times on 30 April 1915, under the headline “Risen From The Ranks - Commission For A Coalville Soldier”:

‘Many congratulations will be offered by Coalville people to Lieutenant T. Dooley on having been awarded a commission in His Majesty’s Army. The gallant soldier is an old Coalville British School boy, and a son of Mr. T. Dooley, of 122 Margaret Street. He joined the army (Leicesters) 12 years ago and has spent nine years in India, being there when the war broke out. He came over with the Indian Expeditionary Force to France and has been taking part in the fighting. He was by the side of Corporal Jack Sheffield, when the latter fell at Neuve Chapelle. Only two months ago he was made a Company Sergeant-Major. The news of his further promotion, announced at a meeting in Marlborough Square, Coalville on Sunday afternoon, was enthusiastically cheered by a crowd of about two thousand people. He was married in March last and his wife is still in India.

Lieutenant Dooley is every inch a soldier and has done remarkably well since adopting the army as his profession. For four years he has acted as a gymnasium instructor and he was captain of the regimental football team in India, having played for Coalville Town during the latter years of his civilian life ... ’

The day after this article appeared, on 1 May 1915, Dooley was killed in action while serving in his new capacity as a commissioned officer in the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. He was 29 years of age and is buried in the Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’Avoue - according to the regimental history, he was originally interred with his orderly in his dug-out.