Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

An inter-War M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant G. C. Grimes, Devonshire Regiment, who was awarded an Immediate M.S.M. following the action at Beit Aiessa, Mesopotamia in April 1916, and served a total of over 36 years

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E., (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; British War and Victory Medals (1392 Pte. G. C. Grimes. Devon R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1392 Pte. G. C. Grimes. Devon. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (268271 L. Cpl: G. C. Grimes. 1/6 Devon: R.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., with one Additional Award Bar (5610627 Sjt. G. C. Grimes. 4-Devon. R.) mounted for wear, light contact marks, polished, nearly very fine and better (8) £500-£700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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Glendining’s, September 1991.

M.B.E. London Gazette 4 June 1934.

M.S.M. London Gazette 15 October 1918:
‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in Mesopotamia during the present war.’

George Charles Grimes was born in Stoke Damerel, Devonport in 1894, the son of an iron-founder at H.M. Dockyard. Employed as a compositor’s apprentice with the local newspaper in Exeter he enlisted into the 4th Territorial Battalion Devonshire Regiment on 14 February 1911. Embodied for Great War service with the 4th Battalion Devonshire Regiment on 5 August 1914 he embarked with the 4th Battalion in TS Nevasa at Southampton on 9 October 1914, disembarking at Karachi and then entraining for Ferozepore, arriving on 13 November 1914. He subsequently transferred to the 1/6th Battalion Devonshire Regiment and posted to ‘B’ Company he embarked at Karachi in HT Elephanta on 30 December 1915, disembarking at Basrah for service with the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force on 6 January 1916. The battalion then commenced the 230 miles march up the banks of the River Tigris to El Orah and were in action at Es Sinn, Dujailah Redoubt, on 8 March 1916 and at Beit Aiessa on 15 April 1916. It was for this latter action that Grimes was subsequently awarded an Immediate Meritorious Service Medal. Promoted Corporal on 27 December 1918, he arrived back home on 9 March 1919 and was disembodied on demobilisation at Exeter on 13 May 1919.

Grimes re-attested for the Territorial Force at Exeter on 15 July 1920 and once again joined the 4th Battalion, being appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant in June 1921. He was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal in August 1922 and was appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant December 1926. He received an Additional Award Bar to his Territorial Efficiency Medal in November 1933, and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire ‘for his long and meritorious service with the Battalion’ in the 1934 Birthday Honours’ List, being decorated by H.M. the King at Buckingham Palace on 26 June 1934.

Having regularly attended annual camps in the inter-war years, Grimes was called up as a member of the Key Party on 25 August 1939 and was embodied for War service in the 4th Battalion Devonshire Regiment on 2 September 1939. Posted to the 10th (HD) Battalion Devon Regiment at Plymouth as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant on 14 January 1940, he remained with the Battalion throughout the War (the 10th Battalion was re-designated the 30th Battalion December 1941), and was awarded a Certificate of Good Service in June 1944. He was released to Class ‘Z’ (T) Royal Army Reserve on 13 August 1945 having seen ‘Home Service’ only during the Second World War, and was a member of the party representing the Devon Territorial Battalions at the London Victory March on 8 June 1946. He re-enlisted for 1 year in the Territorial Army and was posted 4th Devons on 10 May 1947 only to be discharged ‘having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment’ on 27 June 1947, having served with the Regiment for over 36 years. He died in Exeter on 14 August 1958, aged 63.

Sold with copied research.