Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1944 ‘North West Europe’ M.C. group of six awarded to Captain J. Walsh, Lancashire Fusiliers

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1944’ and further inscribed ‘Lieut. Joseph Walsh, XX The Lancashire Fusiliers’; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these last four all impressed in Boots’ style naming ‘Lieut. J. Walsh, Lancs. Fus’; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Capt. J. Walsh, L.F.) mounted as worn, very fine (6) £2000-2400

Provenance: Usher Collection 1975; Dix Noonan Webb, December 2007.

M.C. London Gazette 19 October 1944.
The recommendation states: ‘Near Tessell Wood on 16 July 1944, Lieutenant Walsh displayed outstanding courage, leadership and cool devotion to duty. Whilst under heavy mortar and machine-gun fire he personally hunted down and destroyed three enemy machine-gun posts. He also brought in and attended to wounded men of his platoon. His utter disregard for his own safety was an inspiration to his men.’


Joseph Walsh was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers on 21 August 1943, and served during the Second World War with the 2nd/5th Battalion in North West Europe. He was severely wounded on 16 August 1944. Promoted Captain on 1 October 1946, he relinquished his commission on 16 May 1953.