A Great War ‘Mesopotamia 1917’ D.C.M. and M.S.M. group of six awarded to Acting Regimental Sergeant-Major Samuel Gibson, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, late Manchester Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7755 A.R.S. Mjr: S. Gibson. 6/R. Lanc: R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6648 Pte. S. Gibson, Manch: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (7755 C.Q.M. Sjt. S. Gibson. R. Lanc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7755 W.O. Cl.1. S. Gibson. R. Lanc. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (7755 A.R.S. Mjr: S. Gibson. 6/R. Lanc: R.) mounted for display, the 1914-15 Star sometime gilded, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (6) £1,000-£1,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 29 August 1917:

‘For gallantry and devotion to duty. He has done consistent good work under fire, and has set a fine example of duty to those under him.’

M.S.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917 (Mesopotamia).

Samuel Gibson was born in Manchester and enlisted into the Manchester Regiment on 14 March 1901, aged 19 years 8 months. He served with the Manchester Regiment in South Africa from 9 November 1901 to 8 April 1903 (Queen’s medal with 3 Clasps). He transferred to the Royal Lancaster Regiment on 26 February 1903, and served in India from February 1904 for nearly five years, returning home to the U.K. on 7 January 1909, when he transferred to the Army Reserve as a Lance-Sergeant. He was appointed paid Lance-Sergeant upon mobilisation into the 6th King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on 13 August 1914, and promoted to Sergeant nine days later. He was appointed Company Quarter-Master Sergeant in February 1915 and proceeded overseas with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 13 June 1915. Promoted W.O. 2 and appointed Company Sergeant-Major in August 1915, he was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant-Major the following month and served in that capacity with the 6th Battalion in Mesopotamia from 13 February 1916, until August 1918. He was finally discharged on 17 November 1919.

Sold with copied research including discharge papers, 6th Battalion War Diary for 1917 in Mesopotamia, and a copied photographic image of the recipient in uniform with his wife and infant child.