Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Aldershot Command Athletic Association Prize Medal, 38mm, bronze, the reverse inscribed ‘Inter-Unit Athletic Tournament, June 1919, Winning Team A.G.S., Capt. H. Daniels, V.C., M.C., Rifle Brigade’, good very fine £200-£240

Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, June 1994.

V.C. London Gazette 28 April 1915: ‘No 9665 Company Sergeant-Major Harry Daniels, 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own) [in a joint citation with No. 3697 Acting Corporal Cicil Reginald Noble, late 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own)]
‘For most conspicuous bravery on 12th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle. When their battalion was impeded in the advance to the attack by wire entanglements, and subjected to a very severe machine-gun fire, these two men voluntarily rushed in front and succeeded in cutting the wires. They were both wounded at once, and Corporal Noble has since died of his wounds.’

M.C. London Gazette 30 March 1916.

Harry Daniels was born in Wymondham, Norfolk, on 13 December 1884, and served with the 2nd Battalion, the Rifle Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front, where he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry at Neuve Chappelle on 12 March 1915, whilst serving as a Company Sergeant Major. He was commissioned shortly afterwards and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry at Fromelles in March 1916. He was a keen sportsman and his chief pastimes were gymnastics, boxing and all outdoor sports. Advanced Lieutenant-Colonel, he died in Leeds on 13 December 1953.

Daniels’ V.C. and other medals are held by the Regimental Museum, Winchester.