Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3649    Session 12 (11.30am Thursday 26 March)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $7,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $8,000

DCM GROUP OF FOUR FOR ST QUENTIN: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR Type 1); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 2435 C.Q.M.Sjt: W.F.P. Ryan. 14/Aust:Inf: on first medal, Pte W.F.P. Ryan 6/Bn A.I.F. on second medal, WO2. W.F.P. Ryan 6 Bn. A.I.F. on last two medals. All medals impressed. Court mounted for wear, good very fine.

DCM: Sixth Supplement No.31186 to LG 18/2/1919; CAG No.75 17/6/1919. Also Second Supplement No.31726 to LG 10/1/1920; CAG No.35 15/4/1920.

Recommendation: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Ascension Wood, North-West of St Quentin, on 18th September 1918. This N.C.O. who was acting as C.S.M. found himself in charge of Company Headquarters in the absence of the O.C. Coy. Seeing the Company held up by a Machine gun fire from a small wood in front, he threw in all his men with prompt decision and initiative bringing such well controlled fire on the enemy gun from a flank as to keep his head down while his company rushed the position. In the later fighting in the enemy lines he again at the head of the Company Signallers and runners outflanked an enemy machine gun nest and captured the position killing four of the occupants himself. When bombs ran short he collected enemy stick bombs and kept up the supply to the forward parties. As C.S.M. his organizing abilities were most marked in the maintenance of ammunition and supplies generally. He set a splendid example.'

Citation: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near north-west of St Quentin, on 18th September 1918. Seeing the company held up by machine-gun fire from a small wood, he led his men with initiative and rushed the position. In the later fighting in the enemy lines, he, again at the head of the company, outflanked an enemy machine-gun nest, killing four of the occupants himself.'

William Francis Patrick Ryan, blacksmith, age 28, born at Laanecoorie, Victoria; Enl04Jun1915 at Melbourne; noted on his attestation form that he had been convicted of assault; to Gallipoli 31Oct1915; WIA 18Aug1916 GSW to ear (severe) in France; to Sgt 24Nov1917; to CQMS 17May1918; to T/RQMS 14Sep1918; RTA 02Jun1919 Disch.17Sep1919; Died 28Aug1969.

With research including photos and official Commonwealth of Australia letter advising of the DCM award and the citation for same.