Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Battle of Loos 1915’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Warrant Officer W. R. Holland, 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, who was wounded in the thigh during the action

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8865 Sjt: W. R. Holland. 8/Devon: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (8865 Sjt. W. R. Holland. Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8865 W.O. Cl. 2 W. R. Holland. Devon. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue (5608133 W.O. Cl. II. W. R. Holland. D.C.M. Devon. R.) very fine (5) £1000-1200

Provenance: Glendining’s, September 1991.

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 November 1915:
‘For conspicuous gallantry on the 25th September, 1915, near Hulluch. Although wounded in the thigh in the advance from our front line to the front German trench, Sergeant Holland ran out a telephone wire 500 yards further forward to a position near the Quarries, and kept the front line in communication with the Brigade Headquarters throughout the day. He displayed great coolness and bravery, and his devotion to duty offered a fine example to all ranks.’

Walter Richard Holland was born at Barnstaple, Devon, and attested for the Devonshire Regiment at Devonport on 7 December 1908, aged 18. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 25 July 1915 to 28 September 1915, and from 15 March 1916 to 24 May 1916, afterwards at home. He was appointed Acting R.S.M. in February 1926, and awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in Army Order 150 of 1927. He was discharged at Exeter on 6 December 1929, and died on 11 December 1960.

Sold with copied record of service and other research including several copied local news cuttings covering the award of the D.C.M., his marriage, and shooting competition results.