Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War D.S.M. awarded to Sergeant B. Doull, Royal Marine Labour Corps, for gallantry in saving life at Dunkirk in October 1918

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (Deal/9820.(S) Sergt. B. Doull, R.M.L.C. Dunkirk 1 Oct. 1918) partial erasure of ‘L.C.’, otherwise about very fine £600-700

D.S.M. London Gazette 17 January 1919.

The Royal Marine Labour Corps was formed in Februray 1917, the minimum age for enlistment being 41 years, whilst many men were aged between 50 and 60. Providing labour for the fast unloading and quick turn-round of ships in the ports of France, the unit grew quickly in numbers and earned an excellent reputation for good work, particularly at Dunkirk and Calais where they were bombed almost nightly. Sergeant Doull won his D.S.M. for saving lives after an air raid on 1 October 1918. A total of only seven D.S.M.’s were awarded to this unit during the war.