Other Properties - Great Britain Groups

Lot 4901    SESSION 18 (2.30PM FRIDAY 28 JULY)    Other Properties - Great Britain Groups

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $900

GROUP OF FOUR: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR) for Amiens Offensive; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 53912 L.Bmbr:H.R.H.Coffey R.F.A. on first medal, 53912 Dvr H.R.R.Coffey R.F.A. on second, 53912 Dvr H.R.H.Coffey R.A. on third and fourth. All medals impressed. A superb 'Amiens Breakthrough 1918' DCM group to an exceptional Artillery NCO whose courage under fire helped to keep 'A' Battery in action during this critical battle of the Great War. Very fine - good very fine.

Together with copies of entries for the DCM in the London Gazette and DCM Register, his medal index card and unit research.



DCM LG 11Mar1920 p3026 'On 12th August 1918, the ammunition wagons suddenly came under shell fire, and one of the teams was knocked out. He took charge, got away a wounded driver, got the wagons up to the gun position under heavy fire, and after unloading the ammunition he took the teams back safely.'



Henry Coffey L/Bdr A/117th Bde from Wandsworth, London was an early 'Kitchener' Volunteer who enlisted as a horse driver in the Royal Field Artillery when war was declared. After training, he landed in France on 22nd November 1915. After surviving the battles on the Western Front for three years he was now a Lance Bombardier and in Command of a 12 pounder gun, limber and six horse team in 'A' Battery, 177th Brigade. This Brigade formed part of the famous 16th Irish Division. The great Allied Offensive began on 8th August 1918 and the Battery were involved in Infantry support. The Germans had suffered what would be called 'the black day of the German Army in WWI', but were now conducting a fighting retreat and using artillery to cover their withdrawal to the next defensive line. On 12 August, Lance Bombardier Coffey was bringing a wagon full of Artillery shells to the new Battery position on captured ground, when the wagons came under heavy and accurate enemy shellfire. He immediately took command, rescued a wounded Driver and got him away to safety. He then unloaded the shells and led the surviving gun teams back to safety. The London Gazette of 03Jun1919 announced the award of the DCM and this was followed on 11Mar1920 with his citation.