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Auction: 24001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 169

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

A 1945 Italy operations D.S.O. group of nine awarded to Brigadier G. R. Mockler, Royal Artillery

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1945', with top riband bar, this adapted for mounting; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. R. Mockler); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Brig. G. R. Mockler. D.S.O. Staff.); Coronation 1953, mounted as worn by Spink & Son, traces of lacquer, good very fine (9)

D.S.O. London Gazette 28 June 1945. The original Recommendation states:

'Brigadier Mockler has commanded the Divisional Artillery of the 1st British Division in action from 9th August to date, including the operations about Florence, the closing up and penetration of the Gothic Line, and subsequent fighting through the Appennines.

Throughout this period he has given a splendid example of the best qualities of leadership in action. He has shown himself consistently cool, unruffled and competent in periods of stress, danger and difficulty. He has steadily improved the efficiency of his command by thinking out and applying improved tactical and technical methods to meet the requirements of changing conditions.

He is consistently to be found in forward OPs, and those gun areas where counter Battery activity is worst and his robust cheerfulness in trying and dangerous circumstances has done much to maintain the very high morale of the Officers and men under his command.'

Gerald Ringrose Mockler was born on 16 June 1898 at Tiverton, Devon, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. G. Mockler. Educated at the Lake House School, Cheltenham and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, Mockler was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in August 1916. He served in the Middle East from October 1917-31 October 1918 and had been advanced Lieutenant in February 1918. Captain in August 1929, he was made Major in January 1936 and was an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel from March 1941. Mockler commanded the 156th (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment from February 1943 and then the 6th Indian Division Artillery in Persia and Iraq during 1943, before moving onto Italy. He was Commander Royal Artillery, 1st Infantry Division in Italy and having earned his D.S.O., saw further campaign service in Palestine. Made Brigadier in April 1950, he was made an Honorary Colonel in the Territorial Army from October 1952. Mockler died at Eastbourne in October 1991; sold together with the Warrant for his D.S.O.

For his miniature dress Medals, please see Lot 356.

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Sold for
£2,500

Starting price
£1000