Orders, Decorations and Medals

Victoria Cross interest: Masonic Medal, by ‘J.W.T.’, inscribed, ‘To Bro. Corpl. J. T. Davies V.C. from B.Q.A.E.G.388’, 26mm., 9ct gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1918, in case, minor edge bruising, good very fine £200-240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the South Lancashire Regiment.

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Corporal John Thomas Davies, 11th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. V.C. London Gazette 22 May 1918.

‘On 24 March 1918 near Eppeville, France, when his company was ordered to withdraw, Corporal Davies knew that the only line of withdrawal lay through a deep stream lined with a belt of barbed wire and that it was inperative to hold up the enemy as long as possible. He mounted the parapet in full view of the enemy in order to get a more effective field of fire and kept his Lewis gun in action to the last, causing the enemy casualties and enabling part of his company to get across the river, which they would otherwise have been unable to do’ (ref. The Register of the Victoria Cross). Corporal Davies was taken prisoner in this action and survived the war. He died in St. Helens on 28 October 1955.

Sold with a ticket to admit the bearer to Windsor Castle, on the occasion of the Celebration of the Centenary of the Inauguration of the Victoria Cross, 27 June 1956; a typed letter from the Ministry of Information, to J. Davies, United Glass Bottle Manufacturers Ltd., Sherdley Glass Works, St. Helens, dated 15 November 1943, to accompany the two booklets sent. With a copy of the booklets, “V.C.”; “The Victoria Cross Centenary Exhibition 1856-1956”; “The Victoria Cross” and “Victoria Cross Centenary Celebration - Mecca Ltd. present a Tea Party and Cabaret”. The latter bears 11 signatures, including those of the actors and entertainers Donald Sinden, Bernard Braden and Barbara Kelly.