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Auction: 15002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 16

Family Group:
A Second War 'Western Desert' M.C. Group of Four to Captain W. Darby, Royal Army Medical Corps
a) Military Cross, G.VI.R., unnamed as issued
b) 1939-1945 Star
c) Africa Star, with 8th Army Bar
d) War Medal, extremely fine, with named enclosure slip

Five: Second Lieutenant J.K. Darby, West Yorkshire Regiment, Late Royal Army Medical Corps
1914-15 Star (401064 Cpl. J.K. Darby. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. J.K. Darby.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Sect. Ldr. James K. Darby), edge bruise to BWM, otherwise good very fine or better

Pair: Lieutenant H. Darby, Royal Engineers
British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. Darby.), extremely fine, with the recipient's Silver War Badge, the reverse numbered 'C 56439'

Four: Chief Technician J.K. Darby, Royal Air Force
Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (578403. Cpl. J.K. Darby. R.A.F.); R.A.F. Long Service & G.C., E.II.R. (578403 Ch. Tec. J.K. Darby. R.A.F.), good very fine, all mounted in an unglazed display frame (15)

M.C. London Gazette 18.2.1943 Captain William Darby, M.B. (181396), Royal Army Medical Corps (London W.13)
The Recommendation, dated 5.10.1942, states: 'This officer has served as Sector Officer No.1 Light Field Ambulance since April, 1941. He has always shown keenness and particular aptitude in the handling of men and skill and tact in his professional capacity. Since the Unit's arrival in the Middle East in November, 1941 he has served continuously in the Western Desert. In the operations around El Agheila and Hassieat in January this year his section was with Battle H.Q. 1 Support Group and since February his Section has been attached to Headquarters, 2 Armd. Bde. During all this time he has shown himself possessed of great courage and has carried out his duties without regard to his surroundings. During the Knightsbridge, Acroma, and Tobruch battle of May and June 1942 he particularly showed his mettle and carried on treating casualties under intense aerial and artillery bombardment. He was frequently seen busily engaged in operating and giving transfusions when others were taking shelter in slit trenches, and showing total disregard for his own personal safety. He has always got his casualties back and they arrived at the Main Dressing Station in the best possible condition.
This Officer's splendid devotion to duty has saved many lives and he is an outstanding example to all ranks. With confidence I strongly recommend that Captain Darby be awarded the Military Cross.'

Captain William Darby, M.C., born 1916, the son of Lieutenant Harold Darby, and the brother of Chief Technician James K. Darby; educated at London University and worked as a House Physician at Paddington Hospital; served during the Second World War with No.1 Light Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps from 1940; died, 5.12.1942, and is buried in the Heliopolis War Cemetery, Egypt.

Second Lieutenant James Kidson Darby, born Leeds, 1888; enlisted in the West Riding Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, 6.8.1914; served during the Great War with the R.A.M.C. on the Western Front from 13.4.1915; promoted Corporal, 1.4.1916; wounded in action by a shell wound to the ribs, 3.7.1916; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Regiment, 11.9.1918; demobilised, 8.6.1919.

Lieutenant Harold Darby, born 1883, the father of Captain William Darby and Chief Technician James K. Darby; and the brother of Second Lieutenant James Kidson Darby; a surveyor by trade; Commissioned Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, 1.7.1917.

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Estimate
£800 to £1,200