Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of five attributed to 2nd Lieutenant H. Dowdall, Royal Engineers

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Victory Medal 1914-19 (2 Lieut. H. Dowdall), official late issue from the 1930s; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953, very fine and better (5) £500-600

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and coolness. On the night of 16-17 October 1918, near Le Cateau, he was in command of a composite party of Engineers and Pioneers, 100 strong, ordered to place four foot-bridges across the river Selle preparatory to an assault at daybreak. In the face of close-range machine-gun fire he successfully led each section of his party down to the river bank, placed the bridges in position, crossed over, and cut the wire on the opposite bank.’

Herbert Dowdall first went out to France in April 1918 and was decorated for the above cited deeds while serving in 431st (East Lancashire) Field Company, R.E..

Sold with verification for the Coronation Medal 1953, awarded to the recipient in his capacity of Chairman of the Goole Rural District Council, and copied MIC entry which reveals he did not claim his British War & Victory Medals until October 1938.