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Auction: 332 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 550

Great Britain. A Fine Great War D.S.O. Group of Ten to Colonel W.E. Davies, Rifle Brigade, Mentioned in the Dispatches on Six Occasions Across the Boer and Great Wars, and the Recipient of Five Foreign Awards:
a) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, the integral top ribbon bar adapted with a slide to facilitate mounting, the centres a little depressed and loose
b) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Belfast (Lieut. W.E. Davies Rifle Bde.)
c) King's South Africa 1901-02, two clasps (Lt. W.E. Davies Rif. Bde.)
d) 1914 Star, with copy Bar (Capt. W.E. Davies. Rif: Brig), gilded
e) British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. W.E. Davies)
f) Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued
g) France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Chevalier's breast Badge, 54mm including wreath suspension x 40mm, silver, gold, and enamel
h) Italy, Kingdom, Order of the Crown of Italy, breast Badge, with rosette upon riband, 37mm, gold and enamel
i) Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, Military Division, Officer's breast Badge, 65mm including crown suspension x 35mm, silver-gilt and enamel, [C.M.G.] London Gazette 24 January 1917
[C.B.E.] London Gazette 1923
D.S.O. London Gazette 3.6.1919
France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour London Gazette 24 February 1916
Italy, Kingdom, Order of the Crown of Italy, Fourth Class London Gazette 26 May 1917
[Japan, Kingdom, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class] London Gazette 10 October 1918
[Egypt, Kingdom, Order of the Nile, Third Class] London Gazette 19 January 1920
Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, Fourth Class London Gazette 15 October 1920
Warburton Edward Davies, was born in July 1897, the son of Byam Davies of Corsley House, Warminster. Educated at Eton and Sandhurst, commissioned Second Lieutenant, February 1899 he joined the Rifle Brigade at Crete. With the commencement of hostilities in South Africa, he was present during the operations in Natal during 1899, including the action at Lombard's Kop, 30 October 1899, one of two British defeats around Ladysmith which became known as 'Mournful Monday.' Present at the Defense of Ladysmith, Davies took part in the sortie of 10 December 1899 and the action of 6 January 1900, during which the Boers made a great offensive attack upon Ladysmith. Davies continued to serve in South Africa to the conclusion of hostilities, serving in the actions at Laing's Nek, Belfast and Lydenburg, being Mentioned in the Dispatches of 8 February 1901. Commandant at Uitkijk from 3 September 1901, his clasp and medal entitlement being confirmed.
Following the Boer War, Davies served in Egypt and Malta, promoted Captain 1904. He served at Staff College, Camberley, 1908-09, being promoted Brigade-Major and relocating to 8 Infantry Brigade, Devonport, 1911-12.
On the General Staff prior to the Great War, Davies served during the Great War on the Western Front as Lieutenant Colonel, 64th Division General Staff from 14 August 1914. From February-December 1918 he served in Palestine, also commanding the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade 1919-22, being promoted Colonel, 1920. A distinguished War is confirmed in the honors and awards bestowed upon Davies, together with the five occasions on which he was Mentioned in the Dispatches (19 October 1914, 22 June 1915, 1 January 1916, 22 January 1919, 5 June 1919).
Colonel Davies retied on full pay in 1928, re-mobilized during the Second War serving at the General Headquarters, Home Fleet, as Inspector of V.P.'s and Senior Liaison Officer. A member of the Army and Navy Club, residing at Heatherside House, Camberley, Surrey, Davies died 3 December 1956.
(For the recipient's miniature awards, please refer to the subsequent Lot.)
The Great War Trio official re-issues, the Badge detached from suspension to the last, traces of lacquer, enamel chipping to the French and Serbian awards, Good Very Fine, mounted court-style as worn with the exception of the Serbian award, this in the Huguenin Freres, Le Locle, case of issue.

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