Orders, Decorations and Medals

An early Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private A. E. Holton, Rifle Brigade, who, having been decorated for bravery with the 3rd Battalion in March 1915, died of wounds that September

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (B-431 Pte. A. E. Holton, 3/Rif. Bde.); 1914-15 Star (B-431 Pte., Rif. Brig.), first initial given as ‘L.’; British War and Victory Medals (B-431 Pte., Rif. Brig.), generally good very fine (4) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Cheshire and Manchester Regiments, Rifle Brigade and Royal Green Jackets formed by the late David Boniface.

View
Collection

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 April 1915:

‘For conspicuous galllantry near Armentieres on the night of 3 February 1915. In company with another man he crawled close to the German trenches to ascertain their movements. He then returned to our lines, obtained a hand grenade, went back and threw it amongst them, scattering the enemy in all directions. To achieve this object it was necessary to crawl through the German wire entanglements, and the risk was very great.’

Albert Edward Holton, who was born in Dartford, Kent, died of wounds in France on 19 September 1915, also while serving in the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He was 29 years of age and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.