Description:

A scarce and extraordinary WW1 triple gallantry medal group, original period officers cap, photographs and ephemera relating 2nd Lt Herbert Alfred Disney of the Machine gun corps. To include: a Military Cross & Bar, Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. The MC is unnamed as issued, the DCM is named to 6642 Sjt H Disney 73 Coy MGC, both the BWM and Victory Medal are simply named to ‘2.Lieut H.A.Disney’. All 4 medals are mounted on a pin bar for wear. Also included are 2nd Lt Disney’s ribbon bar, with the MC ribbon having a silver rosette to denote the award of a bar. Also included is Herbert’s original Officers khaki cap, fitted with a silver plated / silver Machine Gun Corps badge. The cap is maker marked for Vaughan & Son of Derby to the inside. A large sized photograph of 2nd Lt Disney accompanies the cap, and would appear to show him wearing the aforementioned cap. The cap badge shown in the photograph may be different to the one currently fixed to the cap - the silvered variety were likely a private purchase. Herbert’s 1915 issued Princess Mary tin is also included, with the scarce silver tipped bullet pencil in its original card slip, and a 1915 Christmas Card. There is also a nickel identity bracelet, named to ‘2nd Lt H A Disney MC DCM M.G.C, 2 trench maps, a WW1 identity document, Herbert’s Field Service Book, which details specific gun emplacements and times of firing, men allocate to sentry duty, and even notes discussing the conduct of particular soldiers, and a 1918 dated book official issued book entitled ‘The Employment of Machine Guns’. 2 base metal fob watches are also included, with one certainly being of post WW1 era, and WW1 era embroidered postcards. Notes: Herbert Alfred Disney (known as Alfred to his family) was born in Barrow-upon-Soar, in Leicestershire in 1889. He had a challenging start to life in his younger days, having been diagnosed with both Pleurisy and Emphysema at the age of 10. An operation was performed, which left visible scarring, but this in no way impacted on his fitness level, which was rated as A1 when he enlisted in 1915. Herbert enlisted for service as a Private with the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) on August 12th 1915, using the service number 29142. The Machine Gun Corps was formed in October 1915, and quickly expanded. Herbert transferred to the MGC as a gunner on the first day of 1916, and now used the service number 6642. His battalion entered the war in France in March 1916, and while part of the 73rd Company he was promoted to Corporal in February 1916, acting Sergeant in June, and then Sergeant in August 1916. Family accounts suggest that he was participant in the Battle of Delville Wood, and the Battle of Guillemont. His leadership skills and composure were obviously noted, as by June 4th 1917, he was awarded the DCM (gazetted July 9th 1917). The citation reads as follows: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. he has constantly performed good work throughout, and set a splendid example to those under him’ Sjt Disney was sent for Officer Cadet (MGC) training in Grantham, and received his commission as a Temporary 2nd Lt in September 1917. Herbert would have almost certainly taken part in some of the most important battles during the spring offensive of 1918, and by July 1918 he had earned the Military Cross. His London Gazette citation reads: ‘On two occasions he brought up supplies of ammunition and rations though intense artillery barrages. Later he personally rescued a gun and tripod, organising a fresh team from stragglers, and with them providing invaluable assistance during a crucial moment of the operations. He exceptional ability and courage were most marked’. He again demonstrated exceptional courage, when on November 4th 1918, during the Battle of Sambre, he won the bar for his Military Cross. His citation for the MC Bar reads:  ‘For fine courage and good work on 4th November 1918 during the attack on the Forêt de Mormal. When in charge of a section of machine guns he observed that the infantry were held up by heavy machine gun fire. He succeeded in personally capturing two enemy machine guns with about 12 prisoners. He brought one of the guns into action, and effectively silenced the machine gun fire that was holding up the advance’. The action at Sambre, only 7 days before the armistice, makes his 2nd Military Cross award one of the latest in the Great War. The award of the MC and Bar, plus the DCM, would make 2nd Lt Disney one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the MGC. It’s also known that Herbert served as an officer in the Home Guard during WW2, with his family referring to him as ‘Captain Disney’, which may related to the rank he held during WW2. Herbert passed away in 1960, and is interred at the Nottingham Road Cemetery, in Chaddesden, Derby. The medal group, along with its associated period items, have come directly from the Herbert’s family, have always been together, and have never previously been offered on the open market. Condition: normal light service wear to the medals. The cap is in good order, with the silvered badge having tarnished almost black. The MGC badge is securely fixed to the hat, and we are unable to ascertain whether the badge is hallmarked to the reverse side. The paper ephemera has understandably worn a little more, with the trench maps having heavy service wear, and the personal documents also showing service wear. The Princess Mary tin has some areas of verdigris / corrosion to the lid, nbut it does retain most of its original gilt finish. The bullet pencil and its card slip cover are in excellent condition. The Christmas Card cover is separated from its internal page.

Realised Price: £4200

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