A good Great War ‘Monchy Le Preux’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain D. F. Wilkinson, 13th Battalion, Liverpool Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., suspension bar inscribed ‘Monchy-Le-Preux’, reverse inscribed ‘For May 3rd 1917, presented by H.M. King George V, to 2nd Lieut. D. F. Wilkinson, Feb. 23 1918’; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut., L’pool. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); together with corresponding miniatures; and related General Service Medal 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (2/Lt. J. D. Wilkinson, R.A.); The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E., type 2, on ladies bow, Great War medals with contact wear and edge bruising, therefore about nearly very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (10) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to the Liverpool Regiment from the Collection of Hal Giblin.

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M.C. London Gazette 18 July 1917 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack, although wounded and blinded in one eye, he went forward and established an advanced bombing post, which he held for some hours until compelled by intense fire to withdraw. He subsequently showed the greatest gallantry in carrying back wounded men from No Man’s Land.’

Captain Donald Frederick Wilkinson was born on 17 February 1895, the eldest son of the Vicar of Litherland, and lived at Litherland Vicarage, Liverpool. He was educated at Liverpool College and University College Oxford. He joined the 12th Battalion, Liverpool Regiment in October 1915 and was admitted to 60 Field Ambulance suffering with enteritis on 23 March 1916. Captain Wilkinson returned to duty four days later, being posted to the 13th Battalion, with whom he was wounded and gained the award of the Military Cross. He was sent home from France on 26 October 1917 for ‘further medical treatment’, suffering from boils and acne. He was granted leave from 26 November 1917 to 17 December 1917, but on the latter date was admitted to hospital. At a Medical Board convened at the 1st Western General Hospital, Fazackerley on 11 January 1918, he stated that he felt useless and ‘done-up’ and complained of giddiness and faintness. He was subsequently instructed to report to the O.C., 3rd Battalion, Liverpool Regiment at Cork.