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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 213

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

An outstanding Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Squadron Sergeant-Major G. F. Wakefield, Machine Gun Corps Cavalary, late 16th (The Queen's) Lancers, and later 3rd (The King's Own) Hussars and 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (41574 Sq. S. Mjr. G. F. Wakefield. 1/Sq: M.G. -Cav.-); 1914 Star, clasp (510 L.Cpl. G. F. Wakefield. 16/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (510 W.O.Cl.2 G. F. Wakefield. 16-Lrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (7815861 W.O.Cl.2. G. F. Wakefield. D.C.M. 3-Hrs.), mounted court style as worn, very fine (5)

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919. The citation followed on 11 March 1920:

'During a period between 23rd and 31st March, 1918, he constantly showed marked courage and devotion to duty. His Squadron was repeatedly involved in rearguard actions in the neighbourhood of Bethencourt on the 23rd March, and did excellent work. His cheerfulness and complete disregard of danger have on many other occasions been a splendid example to all ranks.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 31 May 1915 (16th Lancers), 9 April 1917 (3rd Machine Gun Squadron, Machine Gun Corps Cavalry).

George Frederick Wakefield, or 'Basil' to his friends and comrades, was born at Brentford on 13 January 1889 and enlisted into the 16th (The Queen's) Lancers in September 1907. With the outbreak of the Great War he served on the Western Front from Ireland, the unit landing in France on 17 August 1914 to serve as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade in the 1st Cavalry Division. They shared in the actions of Mons, Le Cateau, on the Marne & Aisne and at Messines, Armentières and Ypres. Wakefield was lucky to come through and took his first 'mention' the following year.

Transferred to the Machine Gun Corps Cavalry in June 1916, Wakefield served with the 3rd and then 1st Squadrons for the remainder of the Great War, taking his second 'mention' and his D.C.M. for fine work in action.

Released on 15 January 1919, the following day he re-joined and would serve with the Hussars from August 1919. Posted variously to Constantinople in October 1921-August 1923, Egypt frinom August 1923-October 1927 and India in October 1927-November 1928, he was eventually released from the 7th Queen's Own Hussars on 16 November 1928; sold together with his two original M.I.D. certificates, Regular Army Certificate of Service, Passport for journey to Egypt, cap Badge and various photographs.

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Estimate
£1,500 to £2,000

Starting price
£1200