A Great War D.C.M. Group of Seven to Sergeant G. Hands, London Regiment, Late King's Royal Rifle Corps, Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (150 Sjt., 1/5 Lond. R.); Queen's South Africa, two clasps, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (5848 Serjt., K.R.R.C.); 1914 Star, with bar (150 Sjt., 5/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (150 Sjt., 5-Lond. R.); Army Long Service and Good Conduct, E.VII.R. (5848 Sjt. Cook, K.R.R.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. (5848 Sjt., D.C.M., K.R.R.C.), the first, second and sixth worn, the remainder good very fine, mounted as worn, together with related Dress Miniatures (14)

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A Great War D.C.M. Group of Seven to Sergeant G. Hands, London Regiment, Late King's Royal Rifle Corps, Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (150 Sjt., 1/5 Lond. R.); Queen's South Africa, two clasps, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (5848 Serjt., K.R.R.C.); 1914 Star, with bar (150 Sjt., 5/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (150 Sjt., 5-Lond. R.); Army Long Service and Good Conduct, E.VII.R. (5848 Sjt. Cook, K.R.R.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. (5848 Sjt., D.C.M., K.R.R.C.), the first, second and sixth worn, the remainder good very fine, mounted as worn, together with related Dress Miniatures (14)

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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

Sold with original Discharge Certificate (dated 4.9.1912) and Character Certificate (dated 21.6.1917).

D.C.M. London Gazette 1.1.1917 'For marked ability in his work at all times, notably when in great difficulties and under heavy fire. His devotion to duty has been worthy of the greatest praise'.

Sergeant George Hands, D.C.M., who had been honourably discharged from the King's Royal Rifle Corps in September 1912, following active service in South Africa during the Boer War, re-enlisted in the London Regiment on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. As with other experienced ex-Regulars, he was quickly assigned to the B.E.F., arriving in France with the 1/5th Battalion (London Rifle Brigade) in early November 1914. The Battalion subsequently went into action at Ploegsteert Wood later that month and again in December, and was credited with digging a new defence line, "Bunhill Row". Hands, who must have been decorated for services in 1916, was finally discharged through sickness on 21.6.1917 and was the recipient of a Silver War Badge.