TOPIC:

Cookney's DCM was one of the more reasonable hammer prices at DNW today. It sold for a hammer price of £950. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £1,224. R23,000. Au$2,090. Can$1,840. US$1,440

That price (GBP950 hammer) I think was more reflective of the fact that this is a replacement DCM, the original being sold in March 2017 by DNW as a single (at stated in the catalogue notes).

Thank you, Bicolboy59. I had not copied in the footnote so went back and added that information.

Picture courtesy of Baldwin's

DCM VR (3955 Pte J. Smalley. Northd: Fus:);
Queen’s Sudan (Cpl. J. Smalley. 1/Northd Fus:) area of unit engraving is polished;
QSA (2) Belmont, Modder River, (3955 Pte J. Smalley, North’D: Fus:), impressed naming;
Khedive’s Sudan (1) Khartoum, (3955. Pte. J. Smalley. 5th Fusers)

DCM London Gazette 26th of January 1900. No 3955 Private Smarley (sic), Northumberland Fusiliers, No1 of a Maxim detachment, who showed great coolness and judgement when wounded.

John Smalley enlisted for the Northumberland Fusiliers on the 30th of October 1893, he stated he was 20 years and 6 months old a Farm Labourer and a native of Boston Lincolnshire. He served Home 30th of October 1893 to 14th of December 1895, Singapore 15th of February 1895 to 31st of December 1896, Gibraltar 1st of January 1897 to the 16th of January 1898, Egypt 17th of January 1898 to the 2nd of October 1898, (3rd of October 1898 to the 18th of April 1899 intelligible), Home 19th of April 1899 to the 15th of September 1899, South Africa 19th of April 1899 to the 23rd of December 1899, Home 24th of December 1899 to the 29th of October 1905, Reserve D 1st of November 1905 to the 31st of October 1909, 16 Years with Colours and Reserve. Appointed Lance Corporal 1st of July 1898, Awaiting Trial Drunkenness 27 December 1898, reduced to the ranks, 12th January 1899 Threatening language to his superior officer, 14 Days Absent ‑16th of March 1901 Forfeit 14 days’ pay. Restored Good Conduct Pay 2nd of April 1902 Received Gratuity of £20 for DCM.

His Service Papers confirm all medals and clasps, and that he was wounded on the 28th of November 1899 at Modder River.

A family group


Picture courtesy of Baldwin's

DCM Ed VII (3335 Pte E. Servey. 13th Hussars);
QSA (6) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, South Africa 1901, (3335 Pte. E. Servey. 13/Hussr), engraved naming, unofficial wire between Transvaal and Laing’s Nek, Laing’s Nek a copy clasp, broken rivets between Laing’s Nek and South Africa 1901 clasp, QSA naming heavily polished

DCM London Gazette the 27th of September 1901. To have the Distinguished Conduct Medal. 13th Hussars. Private E. Servey.

Mentioned in Despatches The London Gazette of the 8th of February 1901. 13th Hussars. 3335 Corporal E. Servey.

Extract from an original copy Character Statement letter by Colonel H.J. Blagrove (late) Commanding 13th Hussar. One of the best signallers in the Regt. And did particularly good and useful work in that capacity during the War in South Africa from 1899 to 1901.

Recommended for and received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his plucky behaviour under fire at Colenso and other actions and general good service.

He has an excellent character and was invalided after about 1 ½ years’ service.

Extract from an original letter hand signed by Major General R. Baden‑Powell.

To Private Servey 13th Hussars dated 21st of October 1901.

I am very glad to hear of you having been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and congratulate you upon it. I remember you well in my Squadron in the 13th Hussars as a smart soldier, and a particularly handy one since, as far as I remember, you had served as a sailor previous to entering the Army. I hope you will go on and continue your success on leaving the Army.

DCM awarded for Relief of Ladysmith.

His Service Papers show that he received a QSA with Orange Free State, Transvaal, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith and South Africa 1901, Laing’s Nek appears to be a self‑award.

Edward Servey, a native of Donegal, joined the 13th Hussars in Liverpool on the 22nd of March 1893 stating his age as 19 years and 10 months and a Seaman by trade. He Served Home 22nd of March 1893 to 9th November 1899, South Africa 10th of November 1899 to the 18th of May 1901 and Home 19th of May 1901 to the 4th of November 1901, 8 years 228 days with the Colours, he was discharged “Having been found Medically unfit for further service”.

Copy Medal Rolls confirm his clasps, without Laing’s Nek, sold with copy medal rolls and 8 copy pages of service Papers.


Son, Private Joseph Servey, 1/7th 7 1/10th Battalion’s Manchester Regiment.

1914—15 Star, (2080 Pte. J. Servey. Manch: R.)
British War and Victory Medals, (2080 Pte. J. Servey. Manch. R.),
1939‑45 Defence Medal, unnamed as issued,

Private Joseph Servey enlisted into the Manchester Regiment on the 5th of February 1914, stating that he was a Labourer by trade, he proceeded overseas with the 1/7th Manchester Regiment, his Medal Index Card confirm he landed in the Gallipoli area of operations on the 6th of May 1915. The 1/7th commenced landing a “V” Beach, Helles at 1pm from the Ionian. Moved to bivouacs on cliff near “W” Beach at 7pm forward to positions west of Krithia Bridge. Took over firing and support lines – Krithia Nullah sector during the 11th. Two platoons advanced 100 yards on left of Brigade Line on the 13th. Unable to hold gains and forced to withdraw during night. Moved back to Brigade Reserve on the 16th to general reserve on the 21st. Private Servey’s papers show that he was wounded by Shrapnel Right Knee on the 22nd of May. He was evacuated from Gallipoli to hospital in Malta, embarking, wounded, for England on the 20th of June 1915. It would appear he was in hospital until July 1917 when he was posted to the 1/10th Battalion Manchester whom he joined in France on the 30th of July 1917 he served in France until the end of the War and was Disembodied on the 19th of March 1919, no longer physically fit for military service. He was discharged with a pension for those with less than 20% disability his papers showing Gun Shot Wound Right Knee.

He was awarded Silver War Badge number 468624.

30798 Bomb: R.C. Hooper. R.F.A.

MISSING DCM - please contact if you know the location as I would like to reunite the group.

A Boer War medal pair awarded to 30798 Bombadier Richard Charles Hooper, Royal Field Artillery, who was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

London Gazette:
M.I.D. - 10 September 1901
D.C.M. - 27 September 1901

Queen's South Africa Medal (Clasps - Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek) named to 30798 A. Br. R.C. Hooper, 63rd Bty. R.F.A.

King's South Africa Medal (Clasps - South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902) named to 30798 Bomb: R.C. Hooper. R.F.A.