Orders, Decorations and Medals

The mounted group of seven miniature dress medals attributed to Private A. J. Richards, V.C., Lancashire Fusiliers, one of the ‘six before breakfast’ at Gallipoli

Victoria Cross; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Defence; Coronation 1937; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., mounted for wear, in a glazed wooden display case together with a small miniature portrait brooch, and two associated British Legion lapel badges, extremely fine and an attractive display (10) £500-700

V.C. London Gazette 24 August 1915.

‘On 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles, Gallipoli, three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, when landing on ‘W’ Beach, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine-guns which caused a large number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up and cut the wire entanglements notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained’ (Ref. The Register of the Victoria Cross).

Alfred Joseph Richards was born in Plymouth, Devon on 21 June 1879 and entered the Army in 1895. Severely wounded at the Gallipoli landings of 25 April 1915 - wounds which resulted in the amputation of his right leg; he was one of six men who received the Victoria Cross by the vote of their comrades for that action. Discharged from the army, Richards later became associated with Lord Robert’s scheme for the employment of disabled soldiers. He died at Southfields, London on 21 May 1953.

Sold with two photographs of Alfred Joseph Richards with another V.C. recipient at a dinner, both men wearing medals; an invitation card to ‘A. Richards Esq., V.C.’ to attend a dinner at the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords; letter of invitation to Mrs Richards and her son to a lunch given by the Lancashire Fusiliers Minden Club, at the Naval and Military Club, 19 June 1956; invitation cards (2) to ‘Mr H. C. Richards’ and ‘Mrs D. Richards’ to attend celebrations to mark the Centenary of the Victoria Cross in 1956, these each with associated tickets to the Parade, Garden Party, Service of Commemoration etc.; together with four V.C. Centenary booklets.