Auction Catalogue

21 September 2001

Starting at 12:00 PM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 1276

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21 September 2001

Hammer Price:
£900

A good Second War ‘Italy’ M.C. group of six awarded to Captain C. D. Griffith, Imperial Light Horse, South African Forces, attached Queen’s Regiment

Military Cross
, G.VI.R., the reverse dated 1944, and additionally inscribed ‘Capt. Charles Duncan Griffith’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed South African issues, inscribed ‘26788 C. D. Griffith’; together with six related badges, and a small quantity of original documentation, including transmission slip for campaign medals, Release Cerificate, and two letters from the mother of Griffith’s batman, requesting details of her son’s death in action, generally nearly extremely fine (6) £600-700

M.C. London Gazette 20 July 1944. The recommendation states: ‘On the afternoon of the 29th January 1944, ‘D’ Company, Queen’s Royal Regiment, was ordered to take part in an attack along the Western Slopes of the Damiano feature.

In the initial phase ‘D’ Company commanded by Captain Griffith, was to support by fire the attack of ‘C’ Company to clear an advanced enemy position composed of four spandau posts sited in sangars on the commanding ground. This attack met with very heavy opposition, not only from these spandaus, but also from similar posts opposing the unit on the battalion’s right flank which was unable to get beyond its start line. Considerable casualties were also suffered from enemy defensive fire. Captain Griffith was therefore ordered to assist ‘C’ Company in its task by knocking out the one remaining spandau post and then to pass through and on to the first objective.

As ‘D’ Company assaulted, an enemy counter attack came in from the high ground on the right flank, which was baulked, but this and other further heavy casualties from enemy defensive fire, caused considerable losses. Captain Griffith himself was wounded, the bullet passing through his neck.

The remnants of ‘D’ Company and ‘C’ Company were then reorganised and a body of 30 men formed. The German opposition on the immediate front was still considerable, and the first attempt to get forward was checked by heavy Light Machine-Gun fire. At this moment Captain Griffith suddenly appeared with a Bren gun, which he mounted and continued to fire unaided, this resolute action gave the attack what it needed, well directed fire support. It went forward, covered solely by the fire of this Bren Gun for fully 400 yards where a feature was occupied. Captain Griffith arrived a minute or two later and took over command of this isolated post, remaining there until he was relieved about two hours later.

No one knew that this officer had been wounded, but his resolute action in providing the necessary supporting fire at the exact moment it was required was responsible for the capture of an important position. The fact that this action was performed when suffering from a serious wound, and further, that Captain Griffith stayed on organising an isolated post for several hours after his wound had been inflicted, are proof of this officer’s undeniable courage and devotion to duty. That this action was performed by a wounded officer, was, and will remain, an inspiration to all who witnessed it.’

Sold with comprehensive copied research detail, confirming that the recipient was wounded in action on two separate occasions.