Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant W. H. Taylor, East Surrey Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (31049 L. Sjt., 1/E. Surr. R.); British War and Victory Medals (31049 Sjt., E. Surr. R.); together with original registered packet of issue for Great War campaign medals addressed to recipient at ‘Church Road, Merton, Surrey,’ good very fine or better (3) £1400-1600

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 October 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the attack the leading wave of his platoon was checked by a thick hedge, through which the enemy machine-guns and rifles were firing. This N.C.O. crawled up to the hedge and, seizing one of the machine-guns by the muzzle, pulled it out of the hands of the enemy who was using it. Later, during the consolidation, he went forward under hostile machine-gun and rifle fire and brought in one of our wounded. He behaved with remarkable gallantry throughout the day.’ Awarded for an action at North West Merville.

Sold with a copied photograph of recipient in later life wearing his medal ribbons; and a German bone handled knife, said to have been used by a German soldier to kill Taylor’s commanding officer and presented to Sergeant Taylor after he took the German prisoner.