Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Spring Offensive’ M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant Clyde Helm, The Border Regiment, whose commanding officer won the Victoria Cross in the same action

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse inscribed ‘Lt., 1st Bn. The Border Regt.’, with case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. Helm) together with the original recommendation Army Form W.3121, signed by J. Forbes-Robertson, V.C., D.S.O., M.C., this with some Sellotape repairs to the reverse, otherwise good very fine (3) £800-1000

M.C. London Gazette 16 Septemaber 1918: ‘T./Lt. Clyde Helm, Bord. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As battalion signalling officer he performed his duties with energy and skill; and in company with his signallers and the rest of battalion headquarters he held positions under heavy fighting with great courage and tenacity, cleverly posting two Lewis guns and accounting for many of the enemy.’

Temporary Second Lieutenant Clyde Helm was recommended for the Military Cross by his commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel James Forbes-Robertson, D.S.O., M.C., 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment, for gallantry during the battle of Estaires, near Vieux Berquin, France. The recommendation states:

‘As Battalion Signalling Officer he performed the duties with energy and skill. During the heavy fighting from the 11th to 13th inst. Battalion H.Q. were on three occasions in the firing line, the Front Line having been driven back on them. This officer fought his signallers and the rest of H.Q. with great determination holding his position on each occasion till the line was readjusted. On the 13th inst. the survivors of the Battalion assisted to hold a bad salient with the remains of the 86th and 87th Brigades. On this occasion 2/Lieut. Helm had been put in command of the apex of the salient where the enemy attacks were heaviest. He held his position and slaughtered many enemy, chiefly owing to the judicious posting of two Lewis Gun.’

Lieutenant Helm’s actions were clearly witnessed by Lieutenant-Colonel Forbes-Robertson during his own remarkable exploits in this fighting that won him a very well earned Victoria Cross.