Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with brooch bar - this inscribed on reverse, ‘Major Vernon Holden’, some enamel damage, very fine £600-700

D.S.O. London Gazette 16 September 1918. ‘Holden, Vernon, M.C., Temporary Major, Royal West Kent Regiment.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy advance. When his battalion was surrounded he withdrew his company with marked skill through the enveloping enemy, and collected men near him and formed a new line of defence. Throughout his fine leadership and coolness under most difficult circumstances were of a high order.’

M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1917; citation 6 January 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He organised the consolidation of his Battalion front under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, continually going to and fro to advanced Battalion Headquarters, through heavy fire, to report personally upon the situation. All the other offiers were casualties, and his courage and splendid personal example, under trying circumstances, were of the utmost value.’

Vernon Holden was born on 10 February 1893. During the Great War he served with the Royal West Kent Regiment, attached West Surrey Regiment. Awarded the D.S.O. and M.C.; he died of wounds on 2 October 1918.