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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 564

The Great War ´Western Front´ M.C. Group of Nine to The Well-Known and Much Loved Reverend G.F. Helm, Chaplain to the 1/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, A Character Recognised on the Front By His Walking Stick and Straw Hat, Later Honorary Chaplain to the King, Vicar of Stroud, And Rural Dean of Dursley a) Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued b) 1914-15 Star (Rev: G.F. Helm. A.C.D.) c) British War and Victory Medals (Rev. G.F. Helm.) d) Defence and War Medals e) Jubilee 1935 f) Coronation 1937 g) Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., with integral top riband bar, slightly worn overall, therefore nearly very fine, with two Army Chaplain´s Department Badges, and several photographic images of the recipient, including one larger framed example (lot) Estimate £ 1,000-1,200 M.C. London Gazette 1.1.1918 Rev. George Francis Helm, T/C.F., 4th Cl. (T.F.) A. Chapl. Dept. T.D. London Gazette 20.7.1926 Revd. George Francis Helm, M.C., M.A., Chaplain 2nd Class Canon George Francis Helm, M.C., M.A. (1882-1958); educated at Allhallows Honiton, Bradfield, where he was a foundation scholar and at Exeter College, Oxford; Captain of the Shooting Team at University; Ordained Deacon 1908, M.A. 1908; appointed Chaplain to the Forces, 1911; served during the Great War attached as Padre to the 1/5th (T.F.) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, ´mention must be made too of the redoubtable Padre, Rev. G.F. Helm, who joined the Battalion a few days after mobilisation in civilian sports coat, flannel trousers and a straw hat much the worse for wear and in which he completed the long march to Chelmsford´ (The Back Badge, refers); served with the latter in the French Theatre of War from, 29.3.1915; during his time with the Glosters he edited the Fifth Gloucester Gazette, offered comfort to the men and officers alike, ´a wounded Private also told me that ´Mr. Helm was always piping about in the firing line´. God knows how many dying and wounded men he had steadied and helped when there was no one else to help, or how many score of letters he has written to the poor folk at home´ (Article included in the lot refers), Helm was also wounded on the front, and this is perhaps not surprising given his devotion to his men, ´In June 1917 the Battalion was in the line at Hermies on the Bapaume-Cambrai road. Following a day of fierce action, in which several of the Glosters were killed and wounded, a lone figure was observed walking up the main road with a walking stick, it was Canon Helm. He enquired about the dead and immediately arranged for their burial in the moonlight and in full view of the enemy. No shot was fired either during the taking down of the wounded or the burial service. The next evening a shell dropped right on the spot where the burial had taken place.´ (Reveille refers); Helm is one of the subjects of F. Roe´s painting The 1/5th Gloucesters at Hebuterne 1916; after the War Helm continued service with the T.A. as Senior T.A. Chaplain, Southern Command and as Honorary Chaplain to the King, 1938-42; Deputy-Assistant Chaplain 1940-42; Proctor of Convocation 1932-50; Helm was appointed to a living in several West Country diocese including All Saints Gloucester; Vicar of Stroud and rural Dean of Dursely.

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£1,500