Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. Including a superb collection of medals to the King’s German Legion, Police Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin and a small collection of medals to the Irish Guards

An Immediate Great War D.S.O. awarded to Major D. O. Riddel, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 11th West Yorkshire Regiment

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., in case of issue, obverse centre a little depressed; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); Montenegro, Military Bravery Medal, silver, in case of issue, together with companion mounted set of miniature medals, nearly extremely fine, the last very scarce (10) £1000-1200

D.S.O. London Gazette 25 November 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended and dressed the wounded under intense fire, displaying the greatest courage and determination. Later, during a very heavy bombardment, he walked up and down our trenches and administered to the wounded.’

Major Riddel won his D.S.O. as a temporary Captain when Medical Officer to the 11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, in an action on 7 October 1916. The battalion attacked enemy trenches to the left of Le Sars, gained and held their objective but with heavy losses of 8 officers and 217 other ranks.

Donald Olson Riddel was born at Oyne, Aberdeenshire, on 5 October 1887. He graduated from Edinburgh University and served during the Great War with the Royal Army Medical Corps from 22 August 1915. He was also mentioned in despatches London Gazette 4 January 1917. (See Lot 1403 for related family medals)