Auction Catalogue

13 January 2021

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 202

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13 January 2021

Hammer Price:
£1,100

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., 1916 M.S.M., French Medal of Honour group of six awarded to Squadron Sergeant Major M. Healey, Military Mounted Police - a regimentally unique combination

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (472 Sjt: - A.S.S. Mjr:- M. Healy [sic]. M.M.P.); 1914 Star (472 Sjt M. Healey. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (472 A.W.O. Cl. 1. M. Healey M.M.P.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (472 Sjt: M. Healey. M.M.P.); France, Third Republic, Medal of Honour, bronze, with crossed swords and wreath suspension, reverse engraved ‘Sergt. Major M. W. Healy. M.M.P.’, mounted for display, generally very fine or better (6) £1,000-£1,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great efficiency in the performance of his duties, extending over a period of two years.’

An extract from 5th Corps Orders, 13 March 1918, gives the following:

‘The Corps Commander wishes to express his appreciation of the following act of courage on the part of No. 472 A/SSM M. W. Healey MMP.

On the morning of 10 March, 1918 a pair of horses attached to a wagon bolted down the road. An NCO made an attempt to stop them but failed. A/SSM Healey with great promptitude and at much personal risk dashed in and seized the reins of the rear horse and hung on until he had brought the runaways to a standstill.

The road was used by a considerable amount of traffic and the prompt action of this Warrant Officer averted what might have led to a serious accident and damage to a pair of Government horses and the limber.

A record of this will be made in the Regimental Conduct Sheet of the above mentioned W.O. in accordance with para 1919 (XVI) Kings Regs.’

M.S.M.
London Gazette 18 October 1916.

M.I.D.
London Gazette 15 June 1916.

France, Medal of Honour
London Gazette 17 March 1920.

Michael William Healey was born in Dublin, Ireland. He attested for the 7th Hussars in September 1894, and transferred to the Military Mounted Police in June 1901. Healey advanced to Lance Corporal in November 1902, and to Corporal in February 1906 (Note: awarded L.S. & G.C. in 1913).

Healey advanced to Sergeant, and initially served during the Great War attached to HQ 7th Infantry Brigade. He subsequently advanced to Acting Squadron Sergeant Major.

1 of 34 D.C.M.’s to the Military Mounted Police for the Great War, and believed to be unique to the unit in combination with the French Medal of Honour.

Sold with copied research.