Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘Lieut. W. Richards, R.W. Fusrs. Somme 1918.’, nearly extremely fine
£500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Old Collection of Medals Relating to The Great War.

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M.C. London Gazette 30 July 1919. ‘T/2nd Lt. Williams Richards, R. Welsh Fus., attd. 25th Bn.’

‘On September 21st, 1918, east of Ronssoy, after the battalion had taken its final objective facing Hindenburg Line and an enemy counter-attack on three sides necessitated a withdrawal from forward positions, he organised a bombing party and covered the withdrawal of battalion down about 800 to 900 yards of trench against vastly superior numbers. All ammunition had been exhausted and but for the prompt action of this officer and the skill and gallantry with which he handled his party, it would have been impossible for the battalion to withdraw without very heavy casualties. The whole time this officer was under heavy shell fire, and very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from three sides, and his indifference to danger was a very fine example to all ranks.’

With copied gazette extract.