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Auction: 8023 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 84

A Great War 1918 ´Hindenburg Line´ D.C.M., 1917 ´French Theatre´ M.M. Pair to Sergeant H. Finch, Royal Engineers a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (59173 Sjt. H. Finch. M.M. R.E.) b) Military Medal, G.V.R. (59173 Sapr. H. Finch. 78/F. Coy. R.E.), number and rank partially officially corrected on last, very fine (2) Estimate £ 650-750 D.C.M. London Gazette 3.6.1919 59173 Sjt. H. Finch, M.M., 78th Fd. Coy., R.E. (Loughton) (France and Flanders). ´´For conspicuous gallantry and good work. On the night of 20th-21st September, 1918, when constructing a strong point in front of Gauche Wood, this party were subject to a local enemy liquid fire attack. This attack was repulsed, largely owing to his energy and cool courage. He took charge of the situation when his men were wavering and brought flanking fire to bear on the enemy, killing the leader and the man carrying an apparatus, and materially assisting the infantry to maintain their position.´´ M.M. London Gazette 28.7.1917 59173 Spr. H. Finch, R.E. 59173 Sergeant Harry Finch, D.C.M., M.M., enlisted in the 78th Field Company, Royal Engineers, 27.6.1915, and served in the French Theatre of War from 15.7.1915; awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry during the Allied approach and attack on the Hindenburg Line, 19-26.9.1918. On the 20th September, during a visit to the German front on the Hindenburg Line, Field Marshal von Hindenburg mentioned to his Generals that ´´the French as well as the British were at the end of their man-power´´, an opinion which may well have led to the subsequent German attack so well repulsed by Sergeant Finch.

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£850