Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Western Front January 1917 D.C.M. and Passchendaele ‘Tunnel Trench’ M.M. group of five awarded to Acting Corporal Henry Bill, 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2112 Pte. H. Bill. 7/Leins: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (2112 L. Col.. H. Bill. 7/Leins: R.); 1914-15 Star (2112 Pte. H. Bill. Leins: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2112 A. Cpl. H. Bill. Leins. R.) mounted as worn, very fine or better (5) £1,800-£2,200

D.C.M. London Gazette 4 June 1917; citation published 9 July 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He succeeded in getting an important message through under heavy fire during operations. He has done consistent good work throughout.’

M.M. London Gazette 4 February 1918.

Henry Bill was a native of Chapelizod, Dublin, and served in France and Flanders with the 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment, from 17 December 1915. He won the D.C.M. during operations near Spanbroekmolen on 30-31 January 1917, the battalion having just taken over the front line vacated by the 6th Royal Irish Regiment. This was later the site of the largest of 19 mines blown by the British Army in the early hours of the morning of 7 June 1917. Later known as Lone Tree Crater, it signalled the launch of the battle of Messines. He went on to win the Military Medal in October 1917 during the battle of Passchendaele when a small raid was carried out by a party of men of the 7th Leinster Regiment on ‘Tunnel Trench’ and ‘No Man’s Land’ on the Hindenburg Line.

Sold with Leinster cap badge together with copied research including Medal Index Card and medal roll confirmation, War Diary extracts and full reports of the ‘Tunnel Trench’ raid.