Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb Great War ‘Ypres, June 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Company Sergerant-Major R. E. Page, 8th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5777 C.S. Mjr: R. E. Page. 8/E. Kent R.); 1914-15 Star (G-5777Sjt. R. E. Page. E. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-5777 A.W.O.Cl.1. R. E. Page. E. Kent R.) medlas unmounted, the first with edge bruise and polished, good fine, otherwise very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a night attack he personally bombed several dug-outs full of the enemy and shot others who refused to surrender. He also showed great ability in consolidating the captured position and was of invaluable assistance to his company commander.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘Ypres, 14-15 June 1917.’

Ronald Eric Page was born at Bexhill, Sussex, and attested for the army at Brighton on 1 September 1914, aged 20 years 6 months; although a shop assistant by trade, he had had some previous service in the R.N.V.R. Posted to the 8th Battalion, The Buffs on 12 September, his abilities brought him rapid promotion. Page entered France with the battalion at Boulogne on 31 August 1915, and went on to win his D.C.M. with the 8th when they were in action clearing out the enemy defenders in a strongly fortified area in the Ypres sector known as the ‘Spoil Bank’. On the night of 14-15 June 1917, stiff resistance was encountered and the deep dug-outs in this labyrinth had to be neutralised by the successful use of a combination of phosphorous bombs and Mills grenades. Page was discharged to ‘Z’ Reserve on 25 February 1919.

Sold with copied research including attestation papers, gazette notices, Medal Index Card, and battalion War Diary for June 1917.