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

Lot

№ 1161

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4 December 2002

Hammer Price:
£240

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., late issue, non-swivelling (5599 Cpl. E. P. McGuire, 2-K.R.R.C.), edge bruising, about very fine; sold together and mounted with a 1914 Star with slip-on bar; British War and Victory Medals, these three erased and a copy Russian St. George Cross for Bravery, silver, very fine (5) £150-200

D.C.M. London Gazette 1.4.1915. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability on 30th January, 1915, at Quinchy. With great ingenuity he occupied a position which dominated a German dug-out, and by his accurate fire cleared the occupants into the open, whre, as he had previously arranged with his battalion, they came under our destructive fire. Subsequently he went out into the open (he had been already slightly wounded) and killed four of the enemy in another dug-out’.

Russian St. George Cross for Bravery
London Gazette 25.8.1915. ‘For gallantry and distinguished service in the field’.

Edward Preston McGuire, from Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh, Ireland, was born in 1882. A pre-war regular, he originally attested for service with the 3rd battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Liverpool on 23.10.1903. A hard drinker and often in trouble - striking an officer in 1903 and another rifleman in 1908, he transferred to the Army Reserve in 1911. He was struck off the strength when he went illegally absent on 15.10.1912. Following the outbreak of the Great War, McGuire attested for a second time on 19.8.1914 and was posted to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment but was transferred to the 2nd battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 25.11.1914. He saw his first active service with the ‘Loyals’ in France / Flanders; entering the theatre of war on 29.9.1914. He attained the rank of Serjeant in April 1915 but was reduced to Corporal (for drunkeness) during the following month. He was wounded in action on 1.7.1916 with gunshot wounds to the head and right leg and invalided to England. Returning to France on 18.2.1917 he was subsequently taken prisoner of war and incarcerated at Limburg prisoner of war camp. He was discharged on 31.3.1920 and died in Dublin on 24.3.1944.

Sold with original but damaged Army Form B2079 (Certificate of Discharge) which confirms all his medals and decorations. Also with copied service papers.