Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.O., M.C. and Bar group of nine to Lieutenant-Colonel J. R. Bodington, 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, later Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Military Commander of Solingen

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., complete with brooch bar, obverse centre a little depressed; Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major), the British War Medal erased; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Belgium, Order of Leopold I, 5th Class breast badge with swords, silver, gold and enamel, some enamel damage, mounted as worn, generally very fine or better (9) £1800-2200

Ex Stott Collection, D.N.W. 25 March 1997, lot 76

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 March 1919, details 4 October 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability from 17 to 22 Oct. 1918. On 17 Oct. he was in command of the forward companies during the enemy retirement south of Lille. He commanded the advanced guard over a wide stretch of country with such energy and skill that the enemy rearguards were driven from successive positions, in one case in face of artillery at close range, the advance reaching a depth of 17,000 yards in one day.’

M.C. London Gazette 9 January 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded his company in an attack when the left of our line were forced back and he led 130 men in a counter attack and captured a strongpoint against heavy odds. He only withdrew after all his ammunition had been expended, and his party were reduced to ten, who fought their way out. As a result of this gallant and determined conduct the withdrawal of our troops was covered and time was given to consolidate the line.

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a large number of the enemy forced their way into the flank and rear of the Brigade, this officer formed a defensive flank with his company and then made a recce of the situation though close to the enemy who bombed him and as a result made a position which checked them. He then proceeded to cut off isolated detachments at favourable points, capturing several hundred prisoners, including a Brigade Commander and other officers. During the following days he held a vital flank under heavy and almost incessant fire.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 July 1919, 20 December 1940.

John Redner Bodington served during the Great War with the Lancashire Fusiliers gaining the M.C. for action at Pilckem, 31 July 1917, a bar to the M.C. for the defence of Givenchy, 9 April 1918 and the D.S.O. for service along the Seclin Canal at Lesquin, 17 - 22 October 1918. During the Second World War he served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Admin Branch, and attained the rank of Major, Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, in January 1942. At the end of the war he was Military Commander of Solingen, Germany, until June 1946 when the Civil Government took over.

The lot is sold with a fine satin steel presentation plaque, 230mm x 170mm, inscribed in German: ‘Given to the Commander, The British Military Government of Solingen, Lieut-Colonel John R. Bodington, as a permanent memento, Solingen, June 1946, The town Solingen, The Mayor (signed)’, the whole inscription in raised letters below the Arms of Solingen and contained in a hinged leather presentation case, the lid with the recipients initials in large Gothic style steel letters; and a presentation Letter Opener with damascus steel blade incorporating facsimile of his signiture, silver mounts to black wooden grip which contains a pull-out silver slider with presentation inscription in German: ‘From the Town Mayor, Solingen, July 1945 - Lt.Col. John R. Bodington in friendship and remembrance.’ Also sold with original M.I.D. Certificate dated 20 December 1940, a portrait photograph and three group photographs.