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Auction: 14002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 6

A Scarce 'Crowned Head' 1936 Palestine D.C.M. Pair to Sergeant T.J. Connolly, The Loyal Regiment
a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., 2nd 'crowned head' type (7145048 Sjt. T.J. Connolly. 1-Loyal R.)
b) General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Palestine (7145048 Cpl. T.J. Connolly. Loyal R.), generally good very fine, mounted for wear, with photographic image of recipient (2)

D.C.M. London Gazette 6.11.1936 7145048 Sgt T.J. Connolly 1st Bn. The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire), 'For gallant and distinguished services in Palestine.'

The Regimental History gives the following details behind the award of Connolly's D.C.M., the action for which occured in August 1936, 'Captain R.M. Gidlow-Jackson, with a weak platoon of B Company and two armoured cars, left Jenin, moved through the Mus Mus pass, and was about to throw a cordon round the village of Ara when his detachment were fired upon from the village. In the resulting skirmish several Arabs were killed and one captured. Corporal W. Haynes and Private W.T. Price distinguished themselves in this action, for which both were awarded the D.C.M.

On their return journey the patrol were fired upon by about seventy Arabs, who were in position on a hill overlooking the Mus Mus pass. The vehicles were repeatedly hit, and C.S.M. Brinton was wounded. Leaving the two armoured cars and two sections to cover his advance, Captain Gidlow-Jackson set off up the hill with Sergeant T.J. Connolly and eleven men. On gaining the top they found that the enemy had decamped, so started moving forward to the next ridge, when they under fire from both front and rear. Fortunately Corporal Haynes, who was guarding the transport, had noticed that some Arabs were about to outflank the half platoon on the hill, and immediately attacked them with the four men of his section, thus relieving the pressure on the forward troops. A single aircraft then appeared and machine-gunned the Arabs, who promptly dispersed, and the troops returned to Jenin without further incident. For this successful encounter Captain Gidlow-Jackson was awarded the D.S.O. and Sergeant Connolly the D.C.M.'

1 of only 14 G.V.R. 'crowned head' type D.C.M.s awarded.

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£5,000