Lot 4401

Description

Group of Three: Distinguished Service Order (GVR); Military Cross (GVR); Belgium Croix de Guerre. All medals unnamed. Extremely fine, the first two in fitted cases of issue.

Attributed to Lt. Col. William Henry Sanday, DSO MC, Enl.16Aug1915 Disch.06Feb1920. MC LG 1/1/17, p.44, 'Sanday, William Henry, Captain, 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion, his work has been consistently good always and he has commanded his Company throughout the operations on the Somme in August and September 1916 with marked ability and gallantry.' Belgian Croix de Guerre, recommendation 24/12/17, 'Major William Henry Sanday MC as Second-in-Command of the 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion this Officer did excellent service in all the arduous work undertaken by his unit during the operations at Messines and Wyschaete 9 June 1917, and later East of Ypres and Paschendales Ridge in September and October 1917. Major Sanday's initiative, personality, and technical knowledge all contributed in a marked manner to the successful issue of the work of the Battalion, and he is well deserving of recognition.' DSO LG 1/1/19 p.21, 'Sanday, William Henry, Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion, for conspicuous ability, initiative, resourcefulness and devotion to duty from 25th February to 17th September 1918. During the recent operations from Hamel to Roisel in August and September 1918, Colonel Sanday displayed tireless energy, and an enthusiasm which permeated the whole of his Unit. On the 23rd August 1918, he carefully organised an attack on Le Neuville and captured it. He proved himself a very gallant Officer.' Together with miniature medal group of six, consisting of Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-18, Victory Medal 1914-19 (MID), Belgium Croix de Guerre; original DSO citation for William Henry Sanday Esquire, M.C. and accompanying DSO booklet; a copy of Defence Service Records for Lt. Colonel William Henry Sanday; a photograph of Sanday wearing his set of six dress miniatures; another of him and others at Chipilly, France on 17 August 1918.