With well over 1,000 British and associated medals, covering the period from the mid 1800’s to the 1991 Gulf War what may well prove to be one of the most significant single-owner medal collections to come to the auction market in 2016 is to be offered by Sheffield Auction Gallery on 4th March.
The incredibly comprehensive “Dore” collection was brought together by a Sheffield gentleman who had a real passion and insight into the world of medals and, just as importantly, the people who received them. The collection has a focus on the York and Lancashire Regiment, which was formed in 1881 following the amalgamation of three Yorkshire Regiments including the original 84th Foot Yorks and Lancs. The regiment was finally disbanded in 1968 having seen action in many conflicts including Sudan in the 1880’s, the Boer War, World War I and World War II. The collection has regimental medals from all of these conflicts.
However; the collection also reflects most of the British military campaigns throughout the Victorian era, World War I, World War II, Korea with not only the campaign medals represented but a large number of gallantry medals and groups. Highlights include two World War I Distinguished Service Order groups, Military Cross Groups, multiple Distinguished Conduct medals and groups plus Military Medal Groups from many theatres of war.
Perhaps one medal seems to stand out; not a group but a single medal to Trumpet Major Richard B. Davis of the 13th Light Dragoons, a Crimea medal from 1854 with four Bars including Balaklava. A survivor of one the most famous cavalry charges of all time – The Charge Of the Light Brigade in which just over 600 British cavalry charged the Russian guns which was later described by French Marshal Bosquet; “It is magnificent, but it is not war!” Trumpeter Davis made it all the way through the Russian guns only to have his horse killed from beneath him on the return and retreated on foot. Although born in India to a military family Mr Davis died in Sheffield in 1902 at the age of 74.
Such a magnificent collection is expected to attract worldwide attention, John Morgan, Auctioneer and Specialist Valuer said; “with the ever increasing interest in medals coinciding with the various World War I centenary commemorations including 100 years since the Battle of the Somme this year, the opportunity to offer for sale this fresh-to-the-market collection is a privilege and very exciting”. Many of the medals are offered with research documentation collected at a time before the internet was widely available.
Part two of this significant collection will be offered on 9th June 2016.
Entries for all forthcoming auctions are invited, for further information please contact the Auctioneers on 0114 281 6161 or jmorgan@sheffieldauctiongallery.com