Barrow-upon-Soar: 'Scarce' WW1 bravery medals fetch £5,510 at auction

Herbert Disney's awards included a Military Cross and Bar, Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal

A soldier's World War One triple gallantry medals described by experts as "scarce and extraordinary" have fetched £5,510 at auction.

The militaria collection and memorabilia of Leicestershire-born Herbert Disney were sold on Tuesday.

The awards included a Military Cross and Bar, Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

2nd Lt Disney died at the age of 71 on 7 November 1960. His collection was sold on the anniversary of his death.

Private Disney, who was born in Barrow-upon-Soar,in 1889, joined the Sherwood Foresters - the Notts and Derby Regiment - at the age of 26 in 1915.

A year later he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps as a gunner.

Matt Crowson, head of militaria at Hansons Auctioneers, based in Etwall, Derbyshire, said he "climbed the military ranks" in months and became an "inspirational junior officer" to the men under his command.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for leadership, later received his commission as a temporary 2nd lieutenant in 1917, and earned the Military Cross the following year.

2nd Lt Disney died at the age of 71 on 7 November 1960

The auctioneers said he was awarded the medals for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty".

His London Gazette citation read: "On two occasions he brought up supplies of ammunition and rations though intense artillery barrages.

"Later he personally rescued a gun and tripod, organising a fresh team from stragglers, and with them providing invaluable assistance during a crucial moment of the operations.

"His exceptional ability and courage were most marked'.

'Captured enemy machine guns'

He again demonstrated courage during the Battle of Sambre in 1918 and earned the bar for his Military Cross.

His citation for this read: "When in charge of a section of machine guns he observed that the infantry were held up by heavy machine gun fire.

"He succeeded in personally capturing two enemy machine guns with about 12 prisoners.

"He brought one of the guns into action, and effectively silenced the machine gun fire that was holding up the advance."

The collection also included other memorabilia including Herbert Disney's officer's cap and a 1915-issued Princess Mary tin with silver-tipped bullet pencil

Mr Crowson said: "The action at Sambre... makes his 2nd Military Cross award one of the latest in the Great War.

"The award of the Military Cross and Bar, plus the Distinguished Conduct Medal, would likely make 2nd Lt Disney one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the Machine Gun Corps."

The militaria expert said 2nd Lt Disney came from "humble beginnings... to achieve the ultimate trio of bravery awards".

"His story reminds us all of the sacrifices and bravery of our armed forces through the generations.

"It seems particularly timely to honour him on the anniversary of his death just before Remembrance Day."

Mr Crowson added the sale was an "impressive result for a hugely important medal collection honouring an exemplary WW1 soldier".

Other memorabilia included 2nd Lt Disney's officer's cap, identity bracelet, trench maps, Field Service Book, a 1918 book entitled 'The Employment of Machine Guns', two fob watches, WW1-era embroidered postcards, a 1915-issued Princess Mary tin with scarce silver-tipped bullet pencil, photographs and ephemera relating to his time in the Machine Gun Corps.

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