Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 March 2008

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 1457

.

20 March 2008

Estimate: £800–£1,000

A Second World War Italy operations D.C.M. group of five awarded to Corporal (Acting Sergeant) Peter Kelly, The King’s Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (3768563 Cpl. P. Kelly, King’s R.), an official replacement stamped ‘R.’; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, together with a King’s Regiment badge, extremely fine (6) £800-1000

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 October 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘During the action of crossing the River gari on 11-12 May 1944, this N.C.O. took over command of a Platoon when the Platoon Commander had been killed.

He organised his platoon quickly and with determination under heavy enemy machine-gun and mortar fire. Throughout the following 36 hours his leadership was of the highest order and he was an inspiration to his men under conditions of great strain. During the action many casualties were sustained by his company and other sub-units nearby. They were lying in and around enemy minefields in very distressed conditions. Morale was becoming low, stretcher bearers had become casualties, communications with the river bank had broken down. It was at this stage of the battle that Sergeant Kelly, on his own initiative, volunteered to fetch medical aid. He crawled for four hundred yards to the river bank in broad daylight whilst under heavy mortar and machine-gun fire, and in full view of the enemy. He swam the river which was flowing very fast - eight knots - fully clothed, and returned to the wounded who received immediate attention from medical personnel he brought back, and evacuation of the casualties proceeded.

This action put new life into all troops, and their morale rose at once. This was illustrated by the manner in which they immediately fought back at the enemy and managed to hold on to the ground they had gained. After this Sergeant Kelly, although wet through and in a state of fatigue, rejoined his platoon and continued to fight back at the enemy with great determination and leadership.

There is no doubt that Sergeant Kelly’s conduct throughout these two days of battle was of the highest order. His actions certainly affected the conduct of the battle and he was instrumental in saving the lives of at least 15 of his comrades. At no time did he “let up” on his duty which was carried out to the full, quite regardless of fatigue and his own personal safety.’

Peter Kelly was serving in the 2nd Battalion, The King’s Regiment, at the time of the above related deeds; sold with a signed statement, dated 22 August 2006, confirming that the recipient’s original Honours and Awards were lost during a ferry crossing at Liverpool on Remembrance Day.