A fine Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of five awarded to Major D. C. Stephenson, Royal Artillery, who was killed in action while commanding ‘Z’ Battery, R.H.A. near St. Quentin on 23 March 1918

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue; Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major), with related Memorial Plaque (Derek Charles Stephenson), nearly extremely fine (6) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties formed by Tim Parsons.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He repeatedly reconnoitred the enemy’s wire and “No Man’s Land”, and sent valuable reports. On one occasion he destroyed wire from an observation post in front of the line, under heavy trench mortar and rifle fire.’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 15 June 1916 and 18 May 1917.

Derek Charles Stephenson, or “George” as he became known in the Gunners, was born in October 1887, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel K. Stephenson, Royal Horse Artillery, who latterly resided at Langham Hall, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Educated at Ludgrove and at Eton, he attended the R.M.A., Woolwich and was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery in December 1907. He was advanced to Lieutenant in December 1910 and to Captain soon after the advent of hostilities:

‘He went to France in August 1914 and served there till the day of his death. In June 1917, he was blown up in his dug-out at night, and had severe concussion, but insisted on returning to his battery before he was really recovered. Except for this two months at home he served continuously at the front. He went all through the retreat from Mons, battles of the Marne and Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and took part in almost every important action of the war. He refused several Staff appointments, preferring a battery. Major Stephenson, ‘Z’ Battery, R.H.A., was killed instantaneously by a shell on 23 March 1918.’

Stephenson was actually serving in C/121st Brigade, R.F.A. at the time of being wounded in June 1917, his casualty return form stating:

‘That in action an H.E. shell exploded in his dug-out next to the gunpit and he received superficial wounds to the back of the left hand and also on back over right scapula. He was rendered unconscious and did not regain full consciousness for two days. He was evacuated on 30.6.1917 ...’

Latterly a resident of 34, Beaufort Gardens, London S.W., Stephenson left over £7000 in his Will. He was interred in the Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension on the Aisne.

Sold with original D.S.O. warrant, M.I.D. certificate for Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 9 April 1917 and memorial scroll, together with three fine studio-quality portrait photographs in uniform, and a “presented” copy of The Royal Artillery War Commemoration Book (London, 1920), the interior with laid-down portrait photograph flanked by an 18 line inscription which ends ‘ ... This book is given in loving memory to Edward Keppel Stephenson by his mother Helena Mary Stephenson, Christmas 1920.’