Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War ‘Guillemont Farm’ D.C.M. and ‘1916 operations’ M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. Dykes, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys)

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6063 Sjt: W. Dykes. 2/Dgns:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (6063 A. Sjt: W. Dykes. 2/Dgns:); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (6063 Pte. W. Dykes. 2/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals,with M.I.D. oak leaves (2DN-6063 Sjt. W. Dykes. 2-Dns.) mounted court-style for wearing, light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (5) £3,000-£4,000

One of 14 D.C.M.’s awarded to the Scots Greys in the Great War, two of whom additionally won the M.M.

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 July 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, in making several personal reconnaisances of enemy trenches, thereby gaining information which was of the greatest assistance towards the success of the raid which followed. He showed great initiative and and coolness, and with his officer remained to the last to see his party safely in.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘Gillemont [sic] Farm, 9/10th June 1917’.

M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916.

William Dykes served in France with the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) from 17 August 1914. He won the Military Medal in 1916 and was decorated with the M.M. ribbon by G.O.C. 2nd Cavalry Division on 30 October 1916. The successful attack on Guillemont Farm on the night of 9/10th June 1917 was one of precision planning and execution due, very largely to the reconnaisances carried out by Sergeant Dykes prior to the attack. The narrative of this raid in the 2nd Dragoons war diary states:

‘The garrison of the enemy is known to have been 60. In addition, there was an enemy working party of 16 on drainage duty. Of these 76, the known casualties inflicted, are 56 killed and 11 taken prisoner, of whom 4 were wounded (One died later in Hospital).

Our Casualties: 2 other ranks killed. 14 other ranks wounded, of whom 2 severely.’

One of the officers reported of the raid: ‘Everyone enjoyed themselves very much.’

Sergeant Dykes is amongst the list of men to have been slightly wounded in the raid but who remained at duty; he was subsequently awarded the Silver War Badge.

Sold with copied research, including, Medal Index Card, gazette entries and extracts from the 2nd Dragoons War Diary which contains an Appendix with detailed narrative of the raid on Guillemont Farm.

Note: M.I.D. unconfirmed.