Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. awarded to Lieutenant D. S. Gwyn, Royal Canadian Dragoons, who was killed when the RMS Leinster was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-123 off Dublin Bay on 10 October 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Memorial Plaque (Donald Stodart Gwyn) nearly extremely fine (2) £600-£800

M.C. London Gazette 26 March 1918; citation published 24 August 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy’s trenches. He led his men with great energy and determination, and by his fearless leadership overcame the enemy’s resistance. He set a splendid example to all ranks.’

Donald Stodart Gwyn was born in Quebec City on 1 October 1896 and was educated at Bishops College, Lennoxville, and the Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Dragoons on 25 June 1915, and served with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on the Western Front from 1917. He was awarded the Military Cross for an action south east of Haricourt on the night of the 12-13 February 1918, and was severely wounded on 23 March 1918. He went on leave to Ireland, and on returning to England on board the RMS Leinster was killed when the ship was torpedoed by the German submarine U-123 just outside Dublin Bay in the Irish Sea on 10 October 1918, with the loss of over 500 lives. His body was subsequently recovered, and he is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland.