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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 552

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant:

A fine 'V.C. Action' 1915 D.C.M. and Russian Medal of the Order of St. George group of four awarded to Sergeant J. W. Duffy, Royal Engineers, who led a small bombing party at Spanbroek Molen - despite heavy casualties, the Royal Engineers held on against determined enemy counter-attacks at the point of bayonet for over two hours

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8690 L.Cpl. J. W. Duffy. 56/Co. R.E.); 1914 Star (8690 Sapr. J. W. Duffy. R.E.); Victory Medal (8690 A. Sjt. J. W. Duffy. R.E.); Russia, Imperial, Medal of the Order of St. George, 3rd Class, officially numbered 'No. 22269' and impressed '8690 L.Cpl. J. W. Duffy. R.E.', the D.C.M. and St. George housed in a fitted wooden case, minor edge bruising to first, nearly extremely fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 June 1915:

'For conspicuous gallantry during the attack on Spanbroek Molen on 12th March, 1915, when he led his party up to the enemy's trenches, and collected parties of Infantry which had lost their Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, and only ceased his efforts when the infantry retired.'

Medal of St. George, Third Class, London Gazette 25 August 1915.

James W. Duffy served in France with 56th Field Company, Royal Engineers, from 18 August 1914. Promoted Lance-Corporal and later Acting Sergeant, he was present during the attack on enemy trenches around the Spanbroek Mill, Lindenhoek, Belgium, when 7th Brigade comprising 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, with 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment and 56 Company, Royal Engineers, in reserve, attempted to take and consolidate enemy positions as a preliminary to further advance.

The assembly trenches were only half dug and full of water. In such cover as these trenches afforded, the two Battalions crouched all morning whilst German shells crashed about them. At 4.10 p.m., orders came to attack and the men rushed forward through a fierce and deadly fire, officers and men falling at every step. The Worcester's successfully captured the front line trenches, hotly followed by the Engineers, whose role it was to consolidate and prepare makeshift defences, but it was quickly apparent that the Germans were not willing to give up without a fight. Soon they began to press inwards along the trenches with bomb and bayonet. The Victoria Cross citation of Lieutenant Cyril Gordon Martin, D.S.O., 56th Field Company, R.E., describes their attempts to hold off the enemy:

'For most conspicuous bravery at Spanbroek Molen on 12 March, 1915, when in command of a grenade throwing party of six rank and file. Although wounded early in the action, he led his party into the enemy's trenches and held back their reinforcements for nearly 2.5 hours, until the evacuation of the captured trench was ordered.'

This event is immortalised by John de G. Bryan for Deeds that Thrill the Empire.

The survivors withdrew under darkness taking their wounded with them. The attack had been little short of a disaster, indeed the attacking forces had been almost annihilated. The 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, suffered nearly 180 casualties including 9 officers killed, whilst the attack of the Wiltshire Regiment had failed in its entirety - not a single man had made it to the enemy front line. The survivors including Duffy made their way back to billets behind Locre where they spent the next three days resting and reorganising.

Duffy survived the War and was discharged at Chatham on 18 August 1922. Perhaps remarkably given his gallant service, his character certificate was somewhat brief:

'…is a "Superior" plasterer and can work well when he likes but is unreliable. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1915 for conspicuous gallantry. He was awarded a third class certificate of education on 4.7.01.'

Sold with original Third Division B.E.F. Distinguished Conduct award card, dated 12 March 1915, Army Form B. 2067 Certificate of Service, numbered Spink & Son Ltd. envelope for Star and Victory Medal, and empty Princess Mary gift tin, together with copied research.



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Sold for
£3,500