Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘German Spring Offensive’ D.C.M. and ‘Somme 1916’ M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant S. E. Williams, 18th (Pals) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (16883 Sjt: S. E. Williams. M.M. 18/L’pool R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (18-16883 L. Cpl. S. E. Williams. 18/L’pool. R.; 1914-15 Star (16883 Pte. S. E. Williams. L’pool R.); British War and Victory Medals (16883 Sjt. S. E. Williams. L’pool R.) mounted for display, contact marks and pitting from star, otherwise nearly very fine (5) £2,800-£3,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 December 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry, ability and devotion to duty in a hostile attack, when he gathered men of all units under his command and led them forward against the advancing enemy, holding them up for over an hour at a most critical time, when it was imperative that the advance should be checked to enable the guns to be got away. Throughout his fearless courage and initiative were of a very high order.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘Esmery-Hallon, 24 March 1918.’

M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1916.

Samuel Edwin Williams was born on 25 June 1889, and lived at Kirkdale, Liverpool. He enlisted into the Liverpool Regiment on 2 September 1914, and went to France with the 18th (Pals) Battalion on 7 November 1915. According to a contemporary news cutting, he was awarded the M.M. for ‘gallantry and devotion to duty in the operations on the Somme.’

Sold with copied gazette extracts, D.C.M. and Medal Index cards, and extracts from the regimental history covering the German Spring Offensive.