Orders, Decorations and Medals

An unusual Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Captain C. T. Davies, 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, beach-master at the ‘Crossing of the Piave’ in Italy, October 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse inscribed ‘Captain, 1st Bn. R.W. Fusrs.’; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1900, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (6223 Pte., 1st Rl. Welsh Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) nearly very fine or better (4) £500-600

M.C. London Gazette 2 April 1919; details London Gazette 10 December 1919: ‘Lt. (A/Capt.) Charles Thomas Davies, 1st Bn. R. Welsh Fus. (Italy) - For conspicuous gallantry and ability. He acted as beach-master on the Island of Cosenza during the operations on Grave di Papadopoli. The successful embarkation of the battalion on the night of 23rd/24th October, 1918, was largely due to his coolness and courage under heavy shell fire. After all troops had crossed he remained on the Island till the morning of the 25th, successfully directing the embarkation of stores. During all this time the Island was very heavily shelled.’

Charles Thomas Davies was born on 29 May 1880, and enlisted into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 29 November 1899. He served with the 1st Battalion during the war in South Africa, and was severely wounded in the left foot at Doornplaats on 12 July 1901. He rose through the ranks to become Acting Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion in November 1916, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on 19 May 1917, becoming Lieutenant exactly a year later. Sold with copy service papers and further research.