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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 204

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain C. S. Dyer, 4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, attached 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, who was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry near Sweveghem on 20 October 1918; Dyer was also the recipient of the Russian Order of St. Anne Third Class, the latter a unique award to the Gloucestershire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. C. S. Dyer); Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Anne, Military Division, breast Badge, gilt and enamel, unmarked, post-1917 manufacture, good very fine (4)

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919, citation published 4 October 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. Near Sweveghem, on 20th October, 1918, when the battalion was forming up in the assembly position, battalion head-quarters was fired on by machine-guns from the left rear. Battalion head-quarters immediately took up a fire position and engaged the enemy with rifle and machine-gun fire. He dashed out and forced the survivors of the enemy to surrender, accounting for one of them personally.’

Russian Order of St. Anne, 3rd Class with Swords, confirmed in War Office list of 16 July 1921 (which also notes the lack of available insignia, and the remote possibility of any official insignia being forthcoming).

Cecil Spencer Dyer was born in Brighton, Sussex in 1887 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment on 5 August 1916, having previously served in a Cadet Battalion. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 October 1917 and was promoted Lieutenant on 5 February 1918.

Appointed Adjutant of the 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment on secondment as Acting Captain on 26 August 1918, Dyer distinguished himself near Sweveghem on 20 October 1917 for which he was awarded the Military Cross. He relinquished his appointment on 30 March 1919, reverting back the Gloucestershire Regiment. Demobilised on 31 October 1919 Dyer relinquished his commission on 30 September 1921 and was granted the honorary rank of Captain. It appears he was married at St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake in July 1920, at that time a miller's representative.

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Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1200