Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of five awarded to Major Joseph Joyce, Motor Machine Gun Service, later Machine Gun Corps

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Capt., M.G.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major) generally good very fine (5) £1200-1500

D.S.O. London Gazette 16 September 1918: ‘Temp. Major Joseph Joyce, M.C., 24th Bn. Machine Gun Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a machine-gun company. It was due in a great degree to his magnificent example and great courage that a position was enabled to be held for so long. Later he collected a party of stragglers, and, with two of his guns and two trench mortars, he held up a hostile advance. During this defence he was severely wounded, but refused to leave his post, and it was not until the enemy had almost surrounded him that he withdrew to a fresh position, being himself the last to leave. His courage and ability throughout were deserving of the highest praise.’

M.C. London Gazette 17 September 1917: ‘Captain (T/Major) M.G. Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of machine guns. During an attack upon a strongly fortified position he moved about with complete disregard of the intense hostile shell fire, visiting all his guns and keeping them in action by his splendid personal example of coolness. Three of his guns were put out of action, and his teams had twenty-four casualties. His exceptional fearlessness and ability cannot be too highly praised.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916, 7 November 1917, and 8 November 1918.

Joseph Joyce was appointed temporary Second Lieutenant, 2 January 1915, for Motor Machine Gun Services, and was appointed temporary Major, Machine Gun Corps (Motors), on 14 July 1916. His immediate D.S.O. was awarded for the action at Le Verguier on 22nd March, 1918, the second day of the great German Spring Offensive. The 24th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, together with the 8th Queen’s, made a “desperate defence” at Le Verguier when a very weak battalion with some machine guns held up two German divisions for several hours and then slipped away unmolested. The Germans had planned to capture Le Verguier 24 hours earlier.