Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Frezenburg, May 1915’ D.C.M. group of four to Acting Sergeant G. W. Sketchley, 1/3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2172 Sjt: G. W. Sketchley. 1/3 Mon: R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (2172 Cpl. G. W. Sketchley. Monmouth. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2172 A. Sjt. G. W. Sketchley. Monmouth. R.) some edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry. When his platoon commander and platoon sergeant had both been killed he displayed great bravery and skill in keeping the men together in the support trench under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘Frezenburg, 8 May 1915.’

George W. Sketchley, 1/3rd Monmouthshire Regiment (Territorial Force) entered the France and Flanders theatre of war on 13 February 1915. The battalion lost so heavily in the German attack at Frezenburg during the Second Battle of Ypres on 8 May 1915, that on 10th May, a composite battalion was formed from the remnants of 83rd Brigade. Sold with copied Medal Index Card, gazette entries and war diary entries.