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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 202

The superb 1917 D.C.M. awarded to Private F. Smales, East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry, who swam out to sea, under heavy fire, to rescue an airman whose machine had crashed offshore

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (50243 Pte. F. Smales. E. Rid: Yeo:); 1914-15 Star (1398 Pte. F. Smales. E.R. of York. Y.), minor official correction; British War and Victory Medals (1398 Pte. F. Smales. E.R. of York.Y.), good very fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in swimming out to sea with a comrade under heavy fire to assist an airman whose machine had fallen in the sea three hundred yards from the shore.'

Fred Smales was a native of Hull, who worked in a shipping office there. He enlisted in August 1914 and entered the war on the 10 November 1915 with the 1/1 East Riding Yeomanry who were stationed in Egypt at the time. The unit served as part of the Australian Mounted Division throughout the war and as such saw action at the First Battle of Gaza.

It was during this Battle that Smales won his award, on 28 March 1917, the final day of the battle, the War Diary for the unit states:

'13 men undertook the reconnaissance. Remainder Regt and 2 sections […]. in supplementary front line trench found strongly held.

Reported accordingly order received from Eastern Force HQ NOT to become seriously engaged as no supporting troop available.

Order received to return to […] on last outpost line withdrawal commenced but delayed to rescue British airmen who had fallen into the sea rescue effected under fire.'

He survived his ordeal and kept serving until 1 November 1918 when he was discharged from service. After the war his pension documents note that he was living at Holderness, East Riding, Yorkshire.

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Estimate
£1,000 to £1,400

Starting price
£800