Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. To coincide with the OMRS Convention

A Great War M.C. group of four to Major D. L. McSweeny, Machine Gun Corps, late 15th London Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R. (Major D. L. McSweeny); 1914-15 Star (430 Sjt., 15-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf (Major), mounted Court style for wear, nearly extremely fine (4) £550-650

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918. Lt. (A./ Capt.), London R., attd. M.G. Corps, ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded a machine-gun company in the front line through ten days’ fighting, always keeping a good grasp of the situation. He made good dispositions, and handled his gun most ably when changes of position were necessary. He assisted in the repulse of repeated enemy attacks, inflicting losses both by direct and indirect fire.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 7 October 1918, 10 July 1919 and 12 January 1920.

Denis Leon McSweeny was born on 26 January 1883 in Standish, near Wigan, Lancashire and educated at St. Joseph’s College, Dumfries and St. Andrew’s University. A Civil Servant in the India Office, he attested to the 15th County of London Regiment in 1908, having previously served with the 12th Middlesex Civil Service Rifles. At the time of the outbreak of the Great War he was a Serjeant serving with the 15th London Regiment. He first entered the French theatre of war on 17 March 1915 and on 25 March was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 15th London Regiment. In November of that year he was seconded to the 140th Machine Gun Corps. In November 1916 he was gazetted Captain and placed in command of the 212nd Machine Gun Company and in April 1918 on being promoted Major he was appointed second in command of the 29th Battalion M.G.C. He was disembodied on May 1919.

Sold with the recipient’s original commission document for the rank of Second Lieutenant; War Office letter re. his demobilisation; Officers’ Protection Certificate and a handwritten listing (by the recipient?) of his wartime appointments; also with a quantity of copied service details.