Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Great War ‘Salonika’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. Wheeler, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., complete with top bar, slight enamel damage; 1914-15 Star (Major, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medal, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col.), rank officially re-impressed on ‘Victory’; Defence; Greece, War Cross 1916-17, 2nd Class, bronze star on ribbon, mounted as worn, very fine and better (6) £1600-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 43rd/52nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 26 July 1917. ‘Temporary Major, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although wounded, he assumed command of the battalion, which had no officer available, and organized an attack on the enemy’s second line. By his energy and courage he inspired confidence in all ranks, and remained in command for four hours until relieved’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 November 1917 (Salonika).

Greek War Cross 2nd Class London Gazette 7 October 1919. ‘Temporary Major, D.S.O., 7th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry’.

Cordy Wheeler was born on 13 September 1884. Educated at West Buckland School, Devon, and Keble College, Oxford, he was sometime an Assistant Master at Wellington College, Berkshire, and Headmaster of the Lower School of Lawrence Sheriff, Rugby. With the 7th Battalion Oxf. & Bucks. L.I. he served in Salonika and was their 2i/c during 1917 and was wounded. Still in Salonika he was appointed to the command of the 11th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on 19 May 1918 and was subsequently wounded for a second time. For his services during the war, he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. and Greek War Cross 2nd Class. Postwar he had published, The Memorial Record of the 7th (S) Batt. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

Sold with D.S.O. bestowal document; D.S.O. Statutes booklet; riband bars; M.I.D. Certificate; cloth 2 wounds stripe; Salonika Reunion lapel badge, enamelled; W.W.2 Defence Medal forwarding slip, and copied research which includes extracts from the above publication.