Dix, Noonan, Webb
Lot 1447
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 F. L. Brice, Royal Field Artillery distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (32074 B.S. Mjr., A.58 Bde. R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (32074 B.S. Mjr., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (32074 W.O. Cl.2, R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (1019424W.O. Cl.II, D.C.M., R.F.A.), mounted as worn, minor edge bruising and contact marks, very fine (5) £800-1000 D.C.M. London Gazette 28 August 1917. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty although severely gassed and badly shaken by a shell which penetrated his gunpit, he immediately carried a wounded comrade to the dressing station under heavy shell fire. In view of his own condition, his conduct throughout the whole bombardment was particularly gallant’. frank Lea Brice was a native of London. He enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery at Woolwich on 24 August 1903. He served in India, October 1909-October 1914; in the Middle East, March 1915-July 1916, and in France, July 1916-February 1919. Serving in France he was awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry. Postwar he was employed as Brigade Accountant and Drill Instructor, retiring with excellent references in September 1927. After leaving the Army he lived in Alpha Villa, Dudley Road, Clacton-on-Sea, and was for many years the Secretary of the Clacton Unionist Club. Frank Brice died in December 1935, aged 47 years. In his obituary it was stated that, ‘During a gas attack in France he noticed a batman, who was without a mask, overcome by fumes. At the risk of his own life, Sergt.-Major Brice took off his mask and gave it to the batman thus saving his life. Mr Brice, of course, was badly gassed, the effects of which no doubt accentuated his illness and thus hastened his death. For this act of gallantry he was awarded the D.C.M., which decoration was presented to him at a public ceremony at the triangle at the junction of Station Road and Pier Avenue, Clacton, by the Colonel of the 29th London Regiment in 1918 in the presence of the regiment. ...’ Sold with the recipient’s Soldier’s Small Book; recipient’s Regular Army Certificate of Service Booklet; a group photograph; newspaper cutting with obituary, base silver match case set with two stones (a third is missing), inscribed, ‘F.L.B.’, and a silver presentation box, approx. 165 x 87 x 50mm., hallmarks for London 1927, with wooden interior, case lid inscribed, ‘Presented to Battery Sergeant-Major F. L. Brice, D.C.M. by The Officers of the 364th Field Battery R.A. on his retirement 23rd September 1927’. £800-£1000
