Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Major D. L. McSweeny, 15th London Regiment and Machine Gun Corps, who was three times Mentioned in Despatches

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse privately engraved ‘Major D. L. McSweeny’; 1914-15 Star (430 Sjt. D. L. Mc.Sweeny. 15-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major D. L. McSweeny.) nearly extremely fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2003.

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded a machine-gun company in the front line through ten days’ fighting, always keeping a good grasp of the situation. He made good dispositions, and handled his gun most ably when changes of position were necessary. He assisted in the repulse of repeated enemy attacks, inflicting losses both by direct and indirect fire.’

Denis Leon McSweeny was born in Standish, near Wigan, Lancashire on 26 January 1883 and was educated at St. Joseph’s College, Dumfries and St. Andrew’s University. A Civil Servant in the India Office, he attested for the 15th (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment in 1908, having previously served with the 12th Middlesex Civil Service Rifles, and by the time of the outbreak of the Great War had been promoted Sergeant. He served during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 March 1915, and on 25 March of that year was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 15th London Regiment. In November of that year he was seconded to the 140th Machine Gun Corps. In November 1916 he was advanced Captain and placed in command of the 212nd Machine Gun Company, and in April 1918, on being promoted Major, he was appointed second in command of the 29th Battalion Machine Gun Corps. For his services during the Great War he was awarded the Military Cross and was three times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 7 October 1918, 10 July 1919, and 12 January 1920). He was disembodied on May 1919.

Sold with the recipient’s original commission document for the rank of Second Lieutenant, dated 24 March 1915; War Office letter regarding his demobilisation; Officers’ Protection Certificate and a handwritten listing (by the recipient?) of his wartime appointments; also with a quantity of copied service details including copied Medal Index Card.