A highly unusual Great War D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Captain G. L. McDonnell, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, late Honourable Artillery Company and City of London Imperial Volunteers (7th Middlesex (London Scottish) R.V.)

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (650 C.Q.M. Sjt., P.P. Can. L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (1409 C. Sgt., C.I.V.); 1914-15 Star (650 C.S. Mjr., P.P.C.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Honourable Artillery Company Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R. (207 A/Bmbr., B. Bty. H.A.C. 2/C. of L.H.A.); Czechoslovakia, War Cross 1914-18; France, Victory Medal 1914-18, the group mounted ‘Court’ style as worn, nearly extremely fine (8) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed by The Late John Cooper.

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See Colour Plate V

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 November 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion, when in charge of divisional headquarters transport, which were situated about 250 yards from the headquarters billets. The stables were set on fire by shell fire. Company Serjeant-Major McDonnell, in order to save the horses, made four journeys from the billets to the stables, under very heavy shell fire. He succeeded in saving all the horses and other Government property besides.’

T.F.E.M. Army Order 163 of 1 July 1910.

Commissioned Lieutenant (R.C.R.S.P. Depot), Overseas Contingent (Canada), General List, 14 October 1916; G.S.O. 3, temporary Captain, Canadian Local Forces, 20 March 1917.