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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 682

A Defence of Amiens M.M. group of three awarded to Private A. Reid, 2nd Dragoon Guards, who survived 'wave after wave' of attacks during the Spring Offensive

Military Medal, G.V.R. (D-3998 Pte. A. Reid. 2/Dns:); 1914 Star, copy clasp (3998 Pte. A. Reid. 2/Dns.); British War Medal 1914-20 (D-3998 Pte. A. Reid. 2-D.Gds.), mounted with an erased Victory Medal, contact marks, good fine (4)

M.M. London Gazette 27 June 1918.

Archibald Reid served in France from 17 August 1914 with the 2nd Dragoon Guards (The Queen's Bays). He remained with his unit throughout the war and was likely present on 21 March 1918 when the Germans launched their Spring Offensive in thick fog. Although it may appear hard to believe that the cavalry were still using their horses at this stage of the war, the Bays were maintained in a state of mounted readiness at Bernes that afternoon. Covering the crossings over the Somme between Brie and St. Christ, the horse lines were bombed by enemy planes on 24 March killing one man and wounding six. The following day the Bays lost a further six killed and 24 wounded.

On 30 March 1918, the Bays were shelled whilst filling a gap in the line at Mericourt on the Ancre. A short while later at Bouzencourt, the dismounted men combined with Carey's force - a cobbled together brigade under Brigadier-General G. G. S. Carey formed to protect Amiens against the German advance. The men held their positions against snipers and artillery all day, as German 'shock troops' continually probed the lines with 32-round trommelmagazin (drum magazines) which improved the close-range firepower of the units. This was further achieved through the use of trench knives, clubs and other melee weapons.

Withdrawn on 3 April 1918, the Bays marched 8 miles to a bivouac at Bussy les Daours, their total casualties amounting to 2 officers and 20 other ranks killed, 6 officers and 111 other ranks wounded and 3 men missing, equivalent to 25% of strength. Having earned a well-deserved M.M., Reid was transferred to Army Reserve on 14 March 1919; sold with copied research and MIC.


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Sold for
£600

Starting price
£130