Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel G. K. Priaulx, 11th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who, having been seriously wounded in 1914 and in 1915, was killed in action leading his battalion, 24 March 1918

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with top bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (Capt. K.R.R.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Capt., K.R.R.C.); 1914 Star with clasp (Capt., K.R. Rif. C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col.), mounted on pad for display; Memorial Plaque (George Kendall Priaulx), in card envelope, Q.S.A. and K.S.A. with contact marks, very fine; others extremely fine (7) £2400-2800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 60th Rifles and King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

View
Collection

D.S.O. London Gazette 18 June 1917. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion. With the utmost confidence and determination he fought his battalion through the village, overcoming all obstacles and gaining his objectives. He set a magnificent example throughout’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901, 23 June 1902; 21 December 1917.

George Kendall Priaulx was born on 15 September 1877 and educated at Harrow and Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the 60th Rifles on 22 February 1898 and promoted to Lieutenant on 21 October 1899 and Captain on 22 January 1902. Serving in the Boer War, he was present at the relief of Ladysmith, the battles of Colenso, Spion Kop, Tugela Heights and Laing’s Nek. After peace was declared he served with the 2nd Battalion K.R.R.C. in India. With the onset of the Great War, he went to France in August 1914 and was dangerously wounded during the battle of the Marne in September 1914. Recovering, he returned to France, and in command of the 2nd Battalion he was again severely wounded at the battle of Loos in September 1915. In 1916, he was in command of the 11th Battalion, which captured the village of Metz and he was present at the operations near Langemarck, Crevecœur and Cambrai. He was killed in action on 24 March 1918, aged 40 years, at Voyennes in the St. Quentin offensive, being first shot through the shoulder and then killed by a shell. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

A Staff Officer at the H.Q. 18th Corps wrote, ‘On March 24th, 1918, when we were particularly hard pressed, his Battalion was making a very plucky stand at Voyennes, near St. Quentin; he was hit throught the shoulder and a few minutes later was killed by a shell. I need hardly tell you what a tremendous loss he was to the Division. His Battalion loved him and would have followed him anywhere. A splendid C.O. .... he did not seem to know what fear was’.

Sold with copied research and copied photographs.