The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals

A very rare ‘August 1918’ American D.S.C. group of four awarded to Gunner E. W. R. Auty, Royal Field Artillery 1914-15 Star (17106 Gnr: E. W. R. Auty. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (17106 Gnr. E. W. R. Auty. R.A.); United States of America, Distinguished Service Cross, bronze, the edge officially numbered ‘6278’, in case with gold debossed lettering ‘D.S.C.’, together with badly damaged box of issue, officially numbered ‘6278’ with spare brooch bar, good very fine (4) £300-£400 --- United States of America D.S.C. London Gazette 17 August 1920: ‘For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign’ Edward William Robert Auty was born on 20 January 1894 at Poplar, London and attested there for the Royal Artillery on 9 November 1914. Posted to the B/109 Brigade on 27 November 1914 he served with them as part of the British Expeditionary Force in France from 30 August 1915 (B/109 Brigade became D/108 Brigade on 21 June 1916). He was gassed whilst serving with 338th Battery on 13 July 1917 and invalided to England on the Hospital Ship St. Patrick on 5 August 1917. Returning to France on 21 March 1918, he was posted to 112 Battery, 24 Brigade on 6 April 1918. Gunner Auty was awarded the American Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry at Vierstraat, Belgium in August 1918 with Lieutenant W. T. J. Munday, also of 112th Battery, 24th Brigade, R.F.A. The citation for Lieutenant Munday’s award is as follows: ‘For extraordinary heroism in action near Vierstraat, Belgium, August 30, 1918. While in command of an accompanying gun, Lieut. Munday advanced in close support of the attack of the 106th American Infantry. With a signaller, he made a daring reconnaissance in advance of our lines, and returned with valuable information. In an encounter with an enemy patrol, near Rosignol Wood two of the enemy were captured.’ Just 24 British servicemen were awarded the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, which was only ever awarded for extraordinary heroism in the face of the enemy. A list of all 24 awards is contained in Decorations United States Army 1862 – 1926 - an official U.S. Government publication. The following descriptions of the awards to Auty and Munday are extracted from this list and show identical units, places and dates: 17106 Signaler Edward W. R. Auty, 112th Battery, 24th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, British Expeditionary Force. Near Vierstraat, Belgium, 30 & 31 August 1918. D.S.C. number unknown. Awarded in War Department General Order No. 60, 1920. Lieut. William Thomas John Mundy, 112th Battery., 24th Brigade., Royal Field Artillery, B.E.F. Near Vierstraat, Belgium, 30 & 31 August 1918. D.S.C. number unknown. Awarded in W.D.G.O. No. 60, 1920. Sold together with a letter to Auty, from the Colonel in charge of R.F.A. records, regarding the award of his American D.S.C., dated 27 October 1920.