The Prussian Iron Cross 1870 group of five awarded to Sergeant F. W. Doetzel, Hussar Regiment “Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, King of Hungary” Schleswig-Holstein No.16, wounded at Ablis, 8 October 1870

Prussia, Iron Cross 1870, 2nd Class; Campaign Cross 1866, for Könniggrätz; War Medal 1870-71, no clasp, combatant’s; Austria, Bravery Medal, 2nd Class, by Leisek, 40mm., silver; Prussia, Long Service Bar, 2nd Class, for 15 years, silver with ribbon backing, pin-backed, very fine and better (5) £600-700

Ex Gaskell Collection; ex Dr. Payne Collection.

Friedrich Wilhelm Doetzel was born in Kindelbrück, Erfurt, Prussia, on 23 July 1842. A Musician by Profession, he entered the Prussian Army on 1 May 1862 as a volunteer in the Pommershe Infantry Regiment No.21; transferred to the Infantry Regiment No.56 on 5 January 1866, and to the Hussar Regiment “Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, King of Hungary” Schleswig-Holstein No.16, on 30 September 1867. He was appointed Supernumerary-Trumpeter on 1 June 1862; Permanent Trumpeter on 1 October 1867, and Sergeant on 22 March 1869. He was wounded in the Franco-Prussian War 1870-71, being shot through the thigh and left foot on 8 October 1870 in the sudden attack at Ablis. On 30 April 1877, it was acknowledged by the “Koeniglichen General Kommando” that he was a complete invalid for life from 6 April 1877, was partly unable to work, and was therefore discharged from the Hussar Regiment “Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, King of Hungary” Schleswig-Holstein No.16. His invalidity was as a result of the ‘weakness, falling away, and shrinking of the muscles in the left lower extremity, ... of lameness of the four toes on the left foot, and also on account of the existence of a cicatrice which is grown together with the parts underneath, and which disturb the movements of muscles in the left thigh through expanding and dragging’. As a result of his invalidity Doetzal received an invalid pension of the 4th Class for non-commissioned officers of 18 Marks. Doetzal was afterwards employed as Flood-gate Attendant.

Sold with the recipient’s original Military Pass Book (with translations); two original photographs of Doetzal in uniform wearing medals, one by himself, another in a group; and three original certificates for his awards (mounted on card) - Iron Cross 2nd Class, dated 19 January 1873; Austria, Bravery Medal, 2nd Class, dated 3 August 1878, and Long Service Decoration, 2nd Class, dated 18 January 1875.