Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 R. H. Sanders, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (109169 C.S. Mjr. R. H. Sanders, 4/Can. M.R.); 1914-15 Star (109169 Pte. R. H. Sanders, 4/Can. Mtd. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (109169 W.O. Cl. 2 R. H. Sanders, 4-C.M.R.), good very fine (4) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 28 March 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. When all his officers became casualties, he took command of the Company and led it with great skill and courage to the objective. He directed the consolidation of his frontage under heavy fire and maintained his position until relieved. His example of courage and resource was solely responsible for holding the Company together under most difficult conditions.’

Robert Henry Sanders, who was born in Northampton, England, in May 1893, served for four years in the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, before settling in Canada, where he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Brantford, Ontario, in November 1914.

Embarked for France in October 1915, where he joined the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, he was appointed Company Sergeant-Major in August 1917 and won his D.C.M. for the above cited deeds towards the end of the same year, most probably at Passchendaele - a Battalion comrade, Private T. W. Homes, won a V.C. on the same occasion.

Latterly employed in the U.K. on instructional duties with the U.S. Army, Sanders was demobilised in March 1919 and died in Hull, Quebec, in January 1957.

Sold with copied service record.