Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

A Great War battle of Messines D.C.M. pair awarded to Sergeant T. R. Pells, East Kent Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1433 Sjt. T. R. Pells, 8/E. Kent R.); 1914-15 Star (G-1433 L. Cpl., E. Kent R.), good very fine

Three: Private R. Pells, Royal West Kent Regiment

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (3741 Pte., 2 R.W. Kent Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3741 Pte., Rl. W. Kent Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue (3741 Pte., R.W. Kent R.), mounted as worn, the first with one or two unofficial clasp rivets, edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine

Four: Private C. J. Pells, East Kent Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (201655 Pte., E. Kent R.); Defence and War Medals, the first two mounted as worn, good very fine or better (9) £800-900

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded his company with great initiative and resource after all his officers had been wounded. He was under heavy fire all the time and showed great ability in dealing with the situation.’

The above deeds were enacted in the battle of Messines in June 1917, when Pells was serving in ‘C’ Company, 8th Battalion, The Buffs, which unit was allocated to attack the enemy railway positions. The regimental history by R. S. H. Moody further confirms that he was left in sole command, the Company Commander and all the rest of the officers being hit before the objective was even reached.