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Auction: 7022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 380

An Exceptionally Rare Great War 1918 ´French Theatre´ D.C.M. Group of Four to Corporal V.B. Polden, Guards Machine Gun Regiment, and Coldstream Guards, Wounded at the Crossing of the River Selle Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (633 Pte- L Cpl.- V.B. Polden. 2/Gds: Bde: M.G. Gds:); 1914-15 Star (15561 Pte. V.B. Polden. C. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (15561 Cpl. V.B. Polden. C. Gds.), nearly extremely fine (4) Estimate £ 1,400-1,800 D.C.M. London Gazette 28.3.1918 633 Pte. (L./C.) V.B. Polden, M.G. Gds. (Brixton Deverill). ´For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was, with a sub-section of machine guns, advancing in support of the infantry attack, when his officer and sergeant were wounded. He thereupon took charge of the two guns, carrying out the final instructions given him by his officer faithfully, and sent back a valuable report to headquarters on the situation. Later, though he perceived some infantry parties withdrawing on his flank, he hung onto his position, thus protecting the Brigade flank. The personal gallantry and skill with which he handled this sub-section gave evidence of exceptional qualities of leadership, and materially helped to save the withdrawal from becoming general.´ 633 Corporal Victor Bruce Polden, D.C.M., born 1895; enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Coldstream Guards, 25.2.1915; posted 1st Battalion, serving with the Expeditionary Force Overseas, 2.11.1915; posted Guards Machine Gun Regiment, 1.2.1917; promoted Corporal, 27.2.1918; wounded by gun shot to right arm at the crossing of the River Selle, 20.10.1918; Discharged 15.3.1919 and entitled to War Badge no. B329643. The 2nd Guards Machine Gun Company was formed in September 1915 from the machine gun elements of 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, and 2nd Battalion Irish Guards. One of only 23 D.C.M.s to the Guards Machine Gun Companies and Guards Machine Gun Regiment combined.

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£2,600