Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Pilckem Ridge’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant C. R. Dolby, 13th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers ‘North Wales Pals’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (17387 Sjt. C. R. Dol.....) attempted erasure of naming but sufficient detail still discernible; 1914-15 Star (17387 L. Sjt. C. R. Dolby. R.W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (17387 Sjt. C. R. Dolby. R.W. Fus.) together with related Memorial Plaque to his brother (William Rosser Dolby), nearly very fine or better (5) £400-£500

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, The Jim Henshaw Collection of Medals to the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1917:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in taking command of his company when it had lost all its officers and leading it forward, capturing all the objectives without a hitch. He then reported to the nearest officer and placed himself under his command, having displayed admirable ability and skilled leadership at a critical time.’ According to the Regimental Museum this award was possibly for his action at Pilckem Ridge, 31 July - 2 August 1917.

Charles R. Dolby enlisted into the 13th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (originally the ‘North Wales Pals’) and arrived in France with the battalion on 1 December 1915. He was demobilised on 14 February 1919.

William Rosser Dolby served with the 16th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps in France from 16 November 1915. He was killed in action on 15 July 1916, aged 23, son of Charles William and Kate Dolby, of Buckley, Chester, and is commemorated by name on the Thiepval Memorial.