Meritorious Service Medal Groups from the Collection of Ian McInnes

A rare Great War D.C.M. and New Zealand M.S.M. group of eight awarded to Captain G. C. Andrews, New Zealand Permanent Staff, late Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, Royal Scots Greys
Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20858 S.S. Mjr. G. C. Andrews, 2/Dgns.); 1914 Star, with clasp (5817 Sjt., 2/Dgns.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (2DN-5817 W.O. Cl. 2, 2-Dns.); War Medal; New Zealand War Service Medal; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (390655 W.O. Cl. II, D.C.M., The Greys); Army Meritorious Service Medal, New Zealand reverse, G.VI.R., 1st issue (W.O. 1, NZPS) contact wear, otherwise nearly very fine and better (8) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Meritorious Service Medal Groups from the Collection of Ian McInnes.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 28 March 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although knocked down by a shell he kept his platoon together during a critical situation when a relief was being carried out under heavy fire. He collected tools and weapons that had been cut off by a barrage and attended and arranged the evacuation of the wounded.’

Grosvenor Cecil Andrews was born in Kensington, London, on 13 July 1884. He enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons in 1902, and by the outbreak of war in 1914 had attained the rank of Sergeant. He won one of only 17 D.C.M.’s gained by the regiment during the war, by the end of which he was a Squadron Sergeant Major. He was serving at Risalpur, North West Frontier province, India, when he applied to join the New Zealand Armed Forces. He was, at the time of his discharge on 7 May 1924, the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant of the Royal Scots Greys. A testimonial written on 28 May 1924 by his former Commanding Officer states:

‘I have known RQMS G. C. Andrews, Royal Scots Greys, for 20 years during which time he has been in the Royal Scots Greys. He is a very high class W.O., most capable in every way, and thoroughly to be relied on. Honest, sober, conscientious, very hard working, with a very pleasant manner. He is most adaptable and I consider would fill any position of trust in civil life most satisfactorily. During the War he was Squadron Sergeant Major and on every occasion proved himself to be a man of great initiative, always cheerful, and never failed to do his duty no matter how trying the circumstances.’

Andrews emigrated to New Zealand with his family in 1924, and was appointed as Staff Sergeant to the N.Z. Permanent Staff with effect from 9 June 1924. During August 1933 he was posted from the appointment of Mounted Rifles Instructor in Auckland to be Regimental Sergeant-Major of the North Auckland Mounted Rifles. In November 1939 he was sent temporarily to the Mobilisation Camp at Ngaruawahia, working long hours getting the men ready for overseas deployment. He was appointed to a temporary Quartermaster’s commission on 21 May 1940, and took up the duty of Assistant Area Officer, serving subsequently at various military camps. Appointed Assistant Area Staff Officer, Area 3, in December 1943, Andrews held that appointment until he became Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, The Auckland Regiment (the Countess of Ranfurly’s Own) on 14 August 1944. He was later appointed Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, The North Auckland Regiment, but relinquished that appointment on 5 January 1946, when he was posted to the Retired List with the rank of Captain and Quartermaster. Captain Andrews was awarded the M.S.M. on 30 January 1946 (Authority NZAL No. 33) and received it at a presentation during a parade of the Whangerei High School Cadet Battalion in March 1946. He was nearly sixty-two years old at the time of his award.