Special Collections

Sold on 2 April 2004

1 part

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The Collection of Medals to the Tank Corps formed by the late Bill Green

Bill Green

Lot

№ 291

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2 April 2004

Hammer Price:
£1,000

A good Great War M.M. group of five awarded to Acting Corporal P. A. Beeley, 14th Battalion, Tank Corps, for the attack on the Queant-Drocourt Line on 2 September 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (97219 Pte. - A. Cpl., 14/Tank C.); British War and Victory Medals (97219 A. Cpl., Tank Corps); Defence Medal 1939-45; Special Constabulary Long Service, G.VI.R., with bar, Long Service 1949 (Philip A. Beeley); together with corresponding miniatures; Tank Corps cap badge, Quartermaster’s crown badge; ‘Qui s’y Frotte’ badge; brass trench art match box holder, this inscribed ‘Tank Corps, C.Q.M.S. Beeley, ‘A’ Cop., 9 Batt., B.E.F., France’; Tank Corps Card of Honour; and two original phographs of recipient in uniform, very fine (12) £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. The recommendation states ‘In the attack on the Queant-Drocourt Line on 2 September [1918] this man showed very conspicuous gallantry, determination, and devotion to duty. Although wounded in the forehead early in the action, he continued to drive with great coolness. During the halt at the first objective, although much exhausted, he refused to get out and rest, and insisted on remaining in the tank to adjust the epicyclic brakes. His tank commander, thinking he was too much exhausted to go on, endeavoured to induce him to go back; however, he insisted on driving his tank towards the second objective until he eventually collapsed in the driver’s seat.’