Baldwin & Sons
Auction 98 3 May 2016
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MILITARY MEDALS, Awards for Gallantry and Distinguished Service, A Great War Western Front Attack on the Hardecourt Aux Bois-Maltz Horn Farm Ridge Distinguished Conduct Medal Group of 3 awarded to Serjeant H Snedker, 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, comprising Distinguished Conduct Medal G.V.R. (4426 Sjt. H. Snedker. 9/R. Fus.); 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals (4426 Sjt. H. Snedker. R. Fus.). Extremely fine or nearly so. (3)
Distinguished Conduct Medal London Gazette, 16 January 1919
4426 Sjt. H. Snedker, 9th Bn. R. Fus. (Northampton), "For conspicuous gallantry. During an attack on Hardecourt and the Maltz Horn Farm Ridge on 28 August, owing to many casualties amongst officers, he had to take command of two platoons. These he led with great skill and courage, in spite of heavy opposition from machine guns and shell fire. On reaching the objective the remaining officer in his company was wounded. He immediately assumed command of the whole company, reorganised them, and commenced to put the line in a state of defence. Throughout the time he walked to and fro amongst his men cheering and urging them on. Later in the day he observed a large party of the enemy withdrawing on the left of his company. Without a moment's hesitation he directed the fire of his Lewis guns and rifles on them, inflicting heavy losses, and making them scatter in confusion. He remained in command of the company throughout the day until an officer was sent up."
On 28 August 1918 the attack on the Hardecourt aux Bois – Maltz Horn Farm ridge was renewed. A deep and fairly steep valley lay in front of it, so that the 12th Machine Gun Battalion was able to bring direct over-head fire to bear for a considerable time whilst the battalions were advancing, a material aid to their progress. Keeping close up to the artillery barrage the 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers from 36th Brigade on the right and the 1/1st Cambridgeshire and 9th Essex from 35th Brigade on the left pushed on capturing prisoners and machine guns and bayoneting the detachments at their posts. By 8.30am the 35th Brigade units had secured Maltzhorn Farm Ridge taking over 100 prisoners.
Sold with contemporary typed copy of the citation and the Infantry Record Office's letter sending him his D.C.M.
Estimate: £800-1200
Distinguished Conduct Medal London Gazette, 16 January 1919
4426 Sjt. H. Snedker, 9th Bn. R. Fus. (Northampton), "For conspicuous gallantry. During an attack on Hardecourt and the Maltz Horn Farm Ridge on 28 August, owing to many casualties amongst officers, he had to take command of two platoons. These he led with great skill and courage, in spite of heavy opposition from machine guns and shell fire. On reaching the objective the remaining officer in his company was wounded. He immediately assumed command of the whole company, reorganised them, and commenced to put the line in a state of defence. Throughout the time he walked to and fro amongst his men cheering and urging them on. Later in the day he observed a large party of the enemy withdrawing on the left of his company. Without a moment's hesitation he directed the fire of his Lewis guns and rifles on them, inflicting heavy losses, and making them scatter in confusion. He remained in command of the company throughout the day until an officer was sent up."
On 28 August 1918 the attack on the Hardecourt aux Bois – Maltz Horn Farm ridge was renewed. A deep and fairly steep valley lay in front of it, so that the 12th Machine Gun Battalion was able to bring direct over-head fire to bear for a considerable time whilst the battalions were advancing, a material aid to their progress. Keeping close up to the artillery barrage the 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers from 36th Brigade on the right and the 1/1st Cambridgeshire and 9th Essex from 35th Brigade on the left pushed on capturing prisoners and machine guns and bayoneting the detachments at their posts. By 8.30am the 35th Brigade units had secured Maltzhorn Farm Ridge taking over 100 prisoners.
Sold with contemporary typed copy of the citation and the Infantry Record Office's letter sending him his D.C.M.
Estimate: £800-1200