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Auction: 9004 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 940

A Great War ´Western Front´ D.S.O., 1916 ´Somme, Battle of the Transloy Ridges´ M.C. Group of Four to Major W.H. Davis, Machine Gun Corps, Late King´s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry a) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar b) Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued c) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaves (Major W.H. Davis), generally good very fine, in A.H. Baldwins & Sons, London case, with original hand written commendation of recipient´s service, signed by the Major-General S.T.B. Lawford, Officer Commanding 41st Division (4) Estimate £ 1,800-2,200 D.S.O. London Gazette 1.1.1918 T/Maj. William Hathaway Davis, M.C., M.G.C. M.C. London Gazette 11.12.1916 Temp. Capt. William Hathaway Davis, M. Gun C., ´´For conspicuous gallantry in action. He personally supervised the working of eight machine guns under heavy fire. He greatly assisted in consolidating the new line and rendering it secure against attack.´´ M.I.D. London Gazette 24.12.1917 Davis, Maj. W.H., M.C., Machine Gun Corps Major William Hathaway Davis, D.S.O., M.C., born 1881; educated Yorkshire College, Victoria University (BA 1903, MA 1904); employed as Headmaster of William Ellis School, Gospel Oak prior to the outbreak of the Great War; commissioned Temporary Lieutenant 11th (Service) Battalion King´´s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 21.11.1914; served during the Great War with the 124th Company Machine Gun Corps in the French Theatre of War, from 17.6.1916; the 124th Company disembarked at Le Havre on the latter date and joined the 124th Brigade, as part of the 41st Division, 19.6.1916; Temporary Major 14.7.1916; Davis´´s company as part of the 124th Brigade served on the Somme during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, September 1916 and during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges, 1st-20th October 1916; during the latter battle Davis´´ received the following Commendation from Major-General S.T.B. Lawford, Officer Commanding 41st Division, ´´Capt. W.H. Davis, 124th M.G.C. Co. I wish to place on record my appreciation of your fine services in working eight guns, when all the officers became casualties save one, and your help in thereby consolidating the line N. of Flers 7th and 10th Oct. 1916.´´

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