Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Advance to Victory’ D.S.O., M.C. group of four awarded to Captain G. H. Bell, South Staffordshire Regiment, who was three times Mentioned in Despatches

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with copy slide top riband bar, in Garrard, London, case of issue; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, with replacement suspension bar and consequent refurbishment work, in Royal Mint case of issue; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. G. H. Ball. S. Staffs. R.); together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, the D.S.O. in gold and enamel, the campaign medals both later issues, good very fine and better (4) £1,400-£1,800

Spink, November 1981.

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 March 1919; citation published 4 October 1919:
‘On 27-28 September 1918, north of Bellenglise, he by a counter-attack ejected the enemy, who had bombed their way into newly captured trenches. Later, being short of ammunition and bombs, he was forced to fall back, showing great courage and stubbornness, and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Next day he made a reconnaissance with a small patrol, and with two men went forward and captured sixteen enemy and two machine guns. He did fine work.’

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919; citation published 4 October 1919: ‘On 12 October 1918, east of Bohain, he led an attack on the south-west edge of Riqueral Wood. The enemy barrage disorganised the attack and drove it back temporarily. He reorganised his company, and with the help of another company he again attacked, gaining the edge of the wood. His great gallantry and devotion to duty won him the admiration of his men.’

George Herbert Ball was born at Oldswinford, Worcestershire, on 31 October 1897, and was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, on 27 October 1915, and served with the 1st/5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 June 1916, his Battalion seeing action at Gommecourt on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1917, and appointed Acting Captain on 30 August 1918, for his services during the Great War Ball was three times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 22 May 1917, 28 December 1918 and 9 July 1919), and was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. He relinquished his commission on 31 August 1919, and died in Dorchester on 13 January 1968.

Note: The recipient’s Medal Index Card states that his Great War campaign medals were issued in February 1965.

Sold with extensive copied research, including his biographical extract from the War History of the 1st/5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, by J. C. J. Elson, including a photographic image of the recipient.