Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of five awarded to Captain G. Powell, 16th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Chatsworth Rifles)

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with top bar, enamel damage to wreaths and to one reverse arm; 1914-15 Star (624 Sjt., Notts. & Derby. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (305015 C.S. Mjr., 1/8 N. & D.R.) nearly very fine and better (5) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 16 September 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer in command of a company fought a skillful rearguard action, enabling the battalion to take up a fresh position. On several occasions he went out to recoinnoitre, gaining important information, and once, when out with only three men, brought back four prisoners. A few days later, when all other officers had become casualties, he led the battalion in a brilliant attack, gaining the objective, and inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. His example throughout ten days of fighting was of inestimable service.’

George Powell was born in Worksop in 1887. He joined the 4th Battalion Notts Volunteers in 1904 - the unit becoming the 1/8th Notts. & Derby Regiment T.F. in 1908. As a Sergeant he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 2 March 1915, serving with the 46th North Midland Territorial Division. Appointed a Company Sergeant-Major in 1916 and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 31 July 1917. Posted to the 17th Battalion (Welbeck Rangers) and then after they were disbanded he transferred in February 1918 to the 16th Battalion (Chatsworth Rifles) which had been raised by the Duke of Devonshire (Chatsworth House) in 1915. In March 1918 his services (above) won him the D.S.O. Powell served with the Rhine Army until September 1919 when he was transferred to Ireland; returning home in 1920.

With original D.S.O. bestowal document (mounted on card); M.I.D. certificate (Haig, 8 November 1918) - to ‘2nd Lt. (A. Capt.) G. Powell, D.S.O., 7th Bn. (T.F.), attd. 16th Bn. Notts & Derby Regt.’; North Midland Division B.E.F. Card of Congratulations for conspicuous bravery in the field - to ‘624 C.S.M. G. Powell, 8th Batn. Sherwood Foresters’; hand-written notes on his service provided by the recipient; newspaper clipping re. the award of the D.S.O.; a postcard portrait photograph of the recipient in uniform; and copied research, including extracts from the battalion history in which Powell is several times mentioned.