Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A most unusual Great War D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Captain G. L. McDonnell, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, late Honourable Artillery Company and City of London Imperial Volunteers (7th Middlesex (London Scottish) Rifle Volunteers)

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (650 C.Q.M. Sjt. G. L. McDonnell, P.P. Can. L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (1409 C. Sgt. G. L. McDonnell, C.I.V.); 1914-15 Star (650 C.S. Mjr. G. McDonnell, P.P.C.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. L. McDonnell); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R., on H.A.C. riband (207 A./Bombr. G. McDnnell, B Bty. H.A.C., 2/C. of L.H.A.); Czechoslovakia, War Cross 1914-18; France, Victory Medal 1914-18, mounted court-style as worn, generally good very fine (8) £2500-3000

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 November 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion, when in charge of divisional headquarters transport, which were situated about 250 yards from the headquarters billets. The stables were set on fire by shell fire. Company Sergeant-Major McDonnell, in order to save the horses, made four journeys from the billets to the stables, under very heavy shell fire. He succeeded in saving all the horses and other Government property besides.’

McDonnell, who was awarded the T.F.E.M. in AO 163 of 1 July 1910, was commissioned as a Lieutenant (R.C.R.S.P. Depot), Overseas Contingent (Canada), General List, on 14 October 1916, and appointed a G.S.O. 3, as a Temporary Captain, Canadian Local Forces, on 20 March 1917.