A Great War D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Serjeant W. A. Taylor, Border Regiment, late Hampshire Regiment, who, during lulls in the action, ‘produced a piccolo, and by playing popular airs cheered and put new spirit into his men’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10573 Sjt., 8/Bord. R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Transvaal (5144 Dr., 2nd Hampshire Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (...4 Dmr., Hampshire Regt.); 1914 Star (10575 Pte., Bord. R.); British War and Victory Medals (10575 Sjt., Bord. R.) mounted for wear, Q.S.A./K.S.A. with edge bruising, worn; others, nearly very fine (7) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of stretchers. Hearing that all his company officers and senior N.C.O’s. were down he left his job and went forward to take charge of the company at great personal danger, passing through a heavy barrage. He took charge of the remainder of the company, collected stragglers, organized them into bombing and Lewis gun sections, with the result that when another came he found all the work had been done. During lulls he produced a piccolo, and by playing popular airs cheered and put new spirit into his men’.

William A. Taylor served as a Drummer in the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment during the Boer War. During the Great War he won the D.C.M. whilst serving as a Sergeant in the 8th Battalion Border Regiment. He subsequently served in the Royal Air Force and was awarded Army L.S. & G.C. through Army Order 388 of October 1924. Sold with copied research.