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Auction: 17003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 691

(x) A fine Great War D.S.O., M.C. and Bar awarded to Major H. Hobday, Royal Field Artillery, who was thrice wounded

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, with Second Award Bar, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in cases of issue, the first with recessed obverse centre, otherwise extremely fine (2)

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1918.

M.C. London Gazette 25 August 1917:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although wounded himself, he brought two wounded men out of a gun-pit whilst his battery was being heavily shelled, and then rallied his men and withdrew them to a flank. Later, he went forward at great personal risk to a line which was in advance of the line held by our infantry and successfully registered the guns of his brigade. He was heavily shelled whilst doing so.'

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He fired on to the advancing enemy with open sights, and when an enemy gun tried to get into action, apparently to take him on, he knocked it out before it had fired a round, thereby also protecting other troops. Throughout the operations he has displayed enormous energy, and by his coolness on all occasions has set a fine example to all under him.'

Herbert Hobday, a native of Hungerford, Berkshire, first arrived in France as a Lieutenant in April 1915 but was quickly evacuated back to the U.K. - due to wounds - on 27 May. He returned to the Western Front on 30 August 1915, twice more receiving less serious wounds and, by June 1918, was commanding 'B' Battery of the 106th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, part of the 35th Division under Major General H. J. S. Landon. Armed with 18-pounder field guns, his unit saw considerable action at Ypres, Messines and Passchendaele, and in the retreat to the Hindenburg Line. He was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 21 May 1918, refers).

Sold with the recipient's original D.S.O. bestowal document and a group photograph of officers of 126th Brigade, British Army of the Rhine 1919, in cardboard scroll box.




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Sold for
£1,800