Auction Catalogue

4 December 2002

Starting at 12:00 PM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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

Download Images

Lot

№ 1148

.

4 December 2002

Hammer Price:
£1,700

A good Great War ‘Salonika’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Cordy Wheeler, 7th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Major, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); Defence Medal; Greek Military Cross, 2nd class, with bronze star on ribbon, mounted as worn, together with original Warrant for D.S.O., M.I.D. certificate, dated 9 April 1917 (T/Maj., D.S.O., 7th Bn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry), case of issue for D.S.O. and various ribbon bars, centres of D.S.O. a little loose, otherwise good very fine (6) £1200-1500

D.S.O. London Gazette 26 July 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although wounded, he assumed command of the battalion, which had no officer available, and organized an attack on the enemy’s second line. By his energy and courage he inspired confidence in all ranks, and remained in command for four hours until relieved.’

Cordy Wheeler was born on 13 September 1884, and educated at West Buckland School, Devon, and Keble College, Oxford. He was later Assistant Master at Wellington College, Berkshire. He accompanied the 7th Oxf. & Bucks. L.I. to France at the end of September 1915, and proceeded to Salonica at the end of the following November. He was wounded and won the D.S.O. during the spring offensive of April-May 1917, and was second-in-command from July 1916 to February 1917. On 19 May 1918, Wheeler was given command of the 11th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Still in Salonika, he was severely wounded on 25 September 1918. He was twice mentioned in despatches and awarded the Greek M.C. 2nd class. In 1921 he had published the
Memorial Record of the Seventh (Service) Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, which he compiled and edited.