Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The superb Great War ‘Bellewaarde Ridge’ Battle of Loos, September 1915 D.C.M., and ‘Westhoek operations’ 3rd Battle of Ypres, August 1917 Second Award Bar group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant H. J. Willey, Rifle Brigade; he was wounded in the left shoulder at Delville Wood in August 1916, was commissioned in April 1918, and severely wounded in the thigh during the Battle of Albert in August 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (B-2391 Sjt: H. J. Willey. 9/Rif: Bde:); 1914-15 Star (B-2391 Sjt. H. J. Willey. Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. H. J. Willey.); Defence Medal 1939-45, medals unmounted, the first with minor edge bruise, otherwise generally very fine or better (5) £4,000-£5,000

Dix Noonan Webb, March 2005.

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 November 1915:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability on the 25th September 1915, on Bellewaarde Ridge. During the action Sergeant Willey passed continually backwards and forwards trying to establish communication with the battalion on his right, and later, when all his officers had been killed, he rallied and organised the men of his own and other companies, and captured a position in the German second line trenches, which he held against all counter attacks. During the day he was under incessant machine-gun and shell fire. He also took six prisoners, and made them carry back the wounded of his party. He exhibited the greatest bravery and devotion to duty.’

D.C.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 22 October 1917; citation published 26 January 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon through a heavy barrage to reinforce another unit which was being strongly counter-attacked again and losing heavily, he held on to his position, which was one of the greatest importance, until relieved. He set a splendid example to all.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘South of Westhoek, 24 August 1917.’

Herbert James Willey was born in Dublin on 11 July 1897, and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at Hackney on 31 August 1914, aged 17 but claiming to be 19 years and 1 month old, a porter by trade. He was the son of Mrs Maude Willey of Stoke Newington, London, and his father, James, was R.Q.M.S. in the 7th Royal Irish Rifles. He was posted to the 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and was promoted to Corporal in October 1914, made Acting Sergeant eleven days later and promoted to Sergeant on 2 February 1915. He landed with the rest of his battalion in France on 20 May 1915.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Bellewaarde Ridge on 25 September 1915, during one of the diversionary actions related to the Battle of Loos. Shortly afterwards, on 30 September, he was appointed Acting Company Sergeant-Major, a rank he held until 5 February 1916, when he reverted to his substantive rank of Sergeant.

He sustained a gun shot wound to his left shoulder on 22 August 1916, while the battalion was engaged at Delville Wood and, on 28 August, evacuated to England. Having recovered from his wound, he was posted to 5th Rifle Brigade which was stationed on the Isle of Sheppey. He returned to France on 13 June 1917, and rejoined 9th Rifle Brigade, with whom he earned a Bar to his D.C.M. near Westhoek on 24 August 1917, during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. In October 1917, he was posted for officer training and sent to Rhyl, where he was commissioned on 30 April 1918.

Posted to 13th Rifle Brigade, he returned to France in July and was severely wounded in the thigh by a shell fragment on 21 August 1918, during the Battle of Albert. He was again evacuated to England, being sent to Bristol for treatment, and did not see any further active service. He was discharged on 10 March 1920, and appears to have subsequently joined the Metropolitan Police.

Sold with his original tunic ribbon bar and copied research, including gazette entries, full record of service, extracts from the regimental history and War Diaries, D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards.