Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Western Front 1918’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant W. H. Taylor, East Surrey Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (31049 L. Sjt: W. H. Taylor. 1/E. Surr. R.); British War and Victory Medals (31049 Sjt. W. H. Taylor E. Surr. R.) together with original registered packet of issue for Great War campaign medals addressed to recipient at ‘Church Road, Merton, Surrey,’ good very fine or better (3) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 October 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the attack the leading wave of his platoon was checked by a thick hedge, through which the enemy machine-guns and rifles were firing. This N.C.O. crawled up to the hedge and, seizing one of the machine-guns by the muzzle, pulled it out of the hands of the enemy who was using it. Later, during the consolidation, he went forward under hostile machine-gun and rifle fire and brought in one of our wounded. He behaved with remarkable gallantry throughout the day.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘N.W. Merville, 20 May 1918.’

Sold with a copied photograph of recipient in later life wearing his medal ribbons, and a German bone-handled knife, said to have been used by a German soldier to kill Taylor’s commanding officer and presented to Sergeant Taylor after he took the German prisoner; together with copied gazette extracts, D.C.M. and Medal Index cards, and War Diary extracts for May 1918 which give a very detailed account of the attack with particular mention of Sergeant Taylor’s gallant actions.

This is an age restricted lot: the successful buyer will be required to either collect in person, or arrange specialist shipping.