Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An early Great War tunnelling operations D.C.M. awarded to Private J. Hoare, Royal Engineers, late Monmouthshire Regiment, who was killed in action at Ypres in August 1917 while attached to an R.E. Tunnelling Company

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (675 Pte. J. Hoare, 3/Mon. Regt. - T.F.), one or two edge bruises, otherwise very fine £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Monmouthshire Regiment formed by Lt. Col. P. A. Blagojevic, O. St. J., T.D..

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D.C.M. London Gazette 15 September 1915:

‘For conspicuous coolness and resource under fire at Houplines on 9 August 1915. His Section Officer was severely wounded and buried in the ruins of a dug-out, but Private Hoare rescued him under heavy shell fire and conveyed him to safety. He then rallied and took command of his section, posting them in the mine gallery. On several occasions he has shown coolness and capacity to take charge.’

James (William) Hoare was born in Pontypridd and enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment at Ebbw Vale. In February 1915, at Steenwoorde, however, he was among 40 other ranks under 2nd Lieutenant G. W. Lancaster, a mining engineer, to be detached for duties with an R.E. Tunnelling Company in the Ypres Salient: ‘The party was given a hearty send off by the Battalion, but their feeling of pride at being chosen for this very important work was tempered by regret at leaving the Battalion ... For their gallantry in these mining operations, Corporal Hoare and Lance-Corporal Leonard received the D.C.M.’ (Battalion history refers).

Hoare was killed in action at Ypres on 3 August 1917, while serving in 171 R.E. Tunnelling Company, and is buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Vlamertinghe, Belgium.