Lot 723
723
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A Great War D.S.O. Group of Seven to Colonel E.W. Pickering, Royal Artillery, Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Major, R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf (Major); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver, unmarked, the first with recessed and chipped obverse centre-piece, otherwise generally very fine and better (7)

Details
A Great War D.S.O. Group of Seven to Colonel E.W. Pickering, Royal Artillery, Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Major, R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf (Major); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver, unmarked, the first with recessed and chipped obverse centre-piece, otherwise generally very fine and better (7)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

D.S.O. London Gazette 1.1.1917.

Mention in Despatches London Gazettes 1.1.1916 and 4.1.1917.

Colonel Emil William Pickering, D.S.O., T.D., was born in Dewsbury in January 1882 and was educated at Dewsbury Grammar School and Tattenhall College prior to being gazetted to the Royal Field Artillery (T.F.) as a 2nd Lieutenant in March 1911. Advanced to Major in January 1915, he served in France and Flanders between April of that year and November 1917, displaying 'great gallantry and an utter disregard of his own person'. Awarded the D.S.O. and twice Mentioned in Despatches, Pickering remained a keen member of the Territorials after the War, gaining advancement to Colonel in the year of his retirement in 1926. He had, meanwhile, been M.P. for Dewsbury between 1918-22 and retained his interest in local affairs by his appointment as a J.P. and D.L. and latterly as Deputy Regional Commissioner, Northern Region. The Colonel, who resided at Netherton Hall, near Wakefield, and 'radiated humour and good cheer', died as a result of a riding accident in March 1942, aged 60 years.