Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A particularly fine 'Casualty' Victory Medal to Guernsey Islander Lieutenant D. P. Lynden-Bell, Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's), who died leading his men on a 'desperate, scrambled affair' before the ruins of St. Julien in the Ypres salient, where, according to the Official History, he and his men were called on ‘to do the impossible’

Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. D. P. Lynden-Bell.) nearly extremely fine £80-£100

Donald Perceval Lynden-Bell was born in Edinburgh on 21 November 1885, the elder son of Honorary Colonel Charles Perceval Lynden-Bell, later Officer Commanding 1st Battalion, Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. Educated at Osborne College from 1908 to 1909, and Clifton College between 1909 and 1911, Bell moved with his family to the Baubigny Arsenal on Guernsey around 1913, and completed his final year of schooling at the renowned Elizabeth College in St. Sampson. Graduating from the Royal Military College Sandhurst in July 1914, he was soon appointed to a commission in the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, and was raised Lieutenant 20 December 1914. 

Landing in France on 24 December 1914, Lynden-Bell's ability soon caught the attention of his superiors and he was 'commended by his Commanding Officer for his soldierly qualities'. Sent up in the direction of the fierce fighting around Hill 60 in support of the Canadians (who were still reeling from the German's first use of poison gas just days earlier), Lynden-Bell and his men found themselves in a wasteland, littered with chlorine gas canisters and the grey corpses of French colonial soldiers, their limbs convulsed and features distorted in death. It was amidst this horror show that he received orders to attack on 25 April 1915, the aim being to plug a hole in the line, take back territory and commit as many German troops as possible. 

The Guernsey Evening Press and Star of 15 May 1915 details what happened next: 'A Company Commander of the Royal Irish Fusiliers writes:- He went down splendidly right in front of his platoon, leading them on. He was shot through the head. I have told you before how splendidly he was doing. I personally can testify to his bravery and wonderful spirits under fire. We were all very much devoted to him. The 87th are proud of him.' 

The attack proved a total disaster and Lynden-Bell was hastily buried by the roadside with approximately 50 of his men. Today he rests in the New Irish Farm Cemetery in Belgium, and is commemorated upon the Elizabeth College Roll of Honour.