Mysterious WW1 hero's medals for sale

Kyt · Dec 17, 2008

Adrian, and other members of GWF, is this being discussed over there? Any news?

Mysterious Dublin war hero's medals set to fetch E1,700 - City News, National News - Herald.ie

BRAVERY medals awarded to a mysterious Dublin war hero are to go under the auctioneer's hammer.

The set of five medals awarded to Sgt J Ellis of the Liverpool Regiment are expected to attract strong interest from military history buffs.

He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty" during a fierce battle on the western front in World War One.

"He was largely responsible for the steadiness with which the men of his company met and repulsed a strong enemy counter-attack," his citation reads.

"His great courage, resource and initiative were an inspiring example to the men at a critical time."

He was also awarded the Military Medal, the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

The last indicates he survived the war, but little else is known about him, Colin Such of auctioneers Warwick & Warwick Ltd told the Herald.

research

The London Gazette of November 26, 1917, and February 6, 1918, carried announcements of the awards and mentioned that his home town was Dublin.

But Mr Such admitted that nothing else about Sgt Ellis has come to light.

"People who buy medals like these like to do further research on the character of the person. That's part of the attraction. It actually enhances their value," he said.

An estimate of £1,500 (€1,732) was a "realistic one" but it could go higher if two parties are interested. "I would be surprised to see them go for less," he added.

The medal set will be auctioned in Warwick on Wednesday. The next day, the auctioneers will hold a valuation day at the Ardmore Hotel in Tolka Valley, Dublin 11, from 9am to 1pm.

"We're interested in anyone with medal groups for sale," Mr Such said, "but also stamps, coins, banknotes, postcards, cigarette cards, die-cast toys and model railways."

A check of the Imperial War Museum website and an ancestry website yesterday by the Herald failed to turn up any mention of Sgt Ellis's background.
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

Mysterious WW1 hero's medals for sale

Kyt Άρης

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Mysterious WW1 hero's medals for sale

Thread Tools

Kyt Άρης

Share This Page

Useful Searches