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Auction: 18002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 490

A poignant Salonika operations D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant W. Flynn, Pioneer Corps, late Company Sergeant Major, South Lancashire Regiment, who was killed aged 52 as a result of a landmine during an air raid over Scotland

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3479 C. S. Mjr: W. Flynn. 9/S. Lan: R.); 1914-15 Star (3479 Sjt. W. Flynn. S. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals, copy M.I.D. oak leaf (3479 W. O. Cl. 2. W. Flynn. S. Lan. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, suspension a little loose on the third, edge bruising, very fine (6)

D.C.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During active operations he invariably displayed the utmost courage and coolness and by his untiring efforts he had brought the company to which he is attached to a high standard of fighting efficiency.'

William Flynn was born in 1889 at Wigan. He served with the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment in France from 18 March 1915 and later in Salonika, during which campaign he was awarded the D.C.M. and a 'mention' (London Gazette 11 June 1918, refers).

Costly trade

Demobbed on 15 February 1919, Flynn returned to the fold with the onset of the Second World War. He is known to have enlisted in the Pioneer Corps in Scotland. His wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Flynn_(British_Army_soldier)) takes up the story of his tragic death:

'The night [13 February 1941] Billy died he was supposed to be off duty, but had swapped with a friend who wanted to go out that night. Thus it was whilst he was on guard duty that night a German plane dropped a landmine.'

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Sold for
£800