Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Loos Crassier, April 1917’ D.C.M. and M.M. group of seven awarded to Colour Sergeant H.G. Emms, York and Lancaster Regiment, which also includes a rare single clasp K.S.A.

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4821 Sjt: H. G. Emms. 2/Y. & L.R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (4821 Sjt: H. G. Emms. 2/Y. & L.R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Relief of Ladysmith, Orange Free State (4821 Corl. H. Emms. 1: Yk: & Lanc: Regt.) top clasp attached with wire connection; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 1 clasp, South Africa 1902 (4821 Pte. H. G. Emms.1/York: & Lanc: Regt.); 1914 Star (4821 Pte. H. G. Emms. 2/York: & Lanc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4821 C. Sjt.H. G. Emms. York. & Lanc. R.) nearly very fine and better (7) £1,800-£2,200

D.C.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Despite heavy casualties, and the absence of any officer, he stuck to his post in a most advanced position. He was subjected to an intense bombardment, and beat off three counter-attacks.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘Loos Crassier.’

M.M. London Gazette 22 January 1917. 

Henry George Emms was born at Norwich, Norfolk, and attested for the York and Lancaster Regiment on 18 January 1897, aged 19 years 6 months, a clerk by trade. He served in the Boer War with the 1st Battalion and proceeded to South Africa on 13 December 1899. He was wounded by a gun shot to the right forearm at Venters Spruit on 21 January 1900, and invalided to England on 18 March 1900. He returned to South Africa on 9 January 1902 until November of that year, when he proceeded to India. He served with the 2nd Battalion in France and Flanders from 10 September 1914, and was a Prisoner of War in Germany from 21 March 1918, until repatriated on 3 December 1918.

Sold with copied research including confirmation of Boer War medals and clasps, Attestation papers and War Diary entries.