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Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 425

The Great War 1915 ´Battle of Festubert´ D.S.O. Group of Five to Lieutenant-Colonel D.W. Figg, London Regiment, Died of Wounds, 5.3.1917 a) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar b)1914-15 Star (Capt. D.W. Figg 24-Lond. R.) c) British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. D.W. Figg) d) France, Republic, Legion of Honour, Knight´s breast Badge, 55mm including wreath suspension x 40mm, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, enamel damage to last, otherwise extremely fine, together with a photographic image of the recipient (5) Estimate £ 1,400-1,600 D.S.O. London Gazette 3.7.1915 Captain Donald Whitely Figg, 24th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen´´s), Territorial Force. ´´For conspicuous and continuous gallantry on the night of 25th-26th May, 1915, and following day at Givenchy, when, after taking part in an assault on a trench, he led repeated rushes with bombs into a German work, and when most of the bombers were killed continued the attack single-handed. His extraordinary bravery and disregard of danger enabled the dangerous flank he commanded to hold its own against constant assaults by the German bombers and riflemen. On the 26th May, when his line was enfiladed by rifle and very heavy shell fire, his determination held his men to their ground until relieved four hours later. For seventeen hours his conduct was a brilliant example to the hard-pressed men around him, and more than anyone in the Battalion he contributed to the successful retention of the position won.´´ France, Legion of Honour, Knight London Gazette 24.2.1916 Second Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Donald Whiteley Figg, D.S.O., 24th Battalion, The London Regiment (Territorial Force). ´´In recognition of his distinguished service during the campaign.´´ Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Whitely Figg, D.S.O., Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 2.9.1914; Acting Captain, 2.11.1914; Lieutenant, 19.6.1915; Acting Lieutenant-Colonel, 22.2.1917; Died of Wounds, 5.3.1917, and is buried in Hem Farm Military Cemetery, France. Action at Givenchy At 6:30 pm on the 25th May, 1915, during the final stages of the Battle of Festubert, the 142nd Brigade, with the 1/23rd and 1/24th London Battalions leading, advanced along the Givenchy-Chapell St. Roch road, and captured the German front and support trenches after considerable resistance, an average advance of 400 yards. At once a deadly enfilade fire was directed on the trenches by the German artillery, but in spite of heavy losses of 22 Officers and 960 other ranks, the Brigade clung on to its capture, but was unable to advance further, as the German Infantry was now defending a new line behind the old one. During the night, and throughout the following day, in spite of frequent local counter-attacks by the Germans, particularly by bombing parties opposite Givenchy, the Brigade maintained their hold on the new line, and consolidated it, concluding the Battle of Festubert.

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£3,800