Beschreibung:

A superb Great War 1917 ‘Diyala River, Mesopotamia’ D.C.M. and Medaille Militaire group of nine awarded to Sergeant H. J. Slynn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, later Lieutenant, King’s Regiment, for his gallant and inspirational conduct between 8-10 March 1917 as part of a small group which, isolated from the main British forces on the opposite side of the Diyala River, held their position for 30 hours in the face of constant Turkish attacks by bombs, machine guns and rifle fire until reinforcements could effect a crossing- for this action the officer in charge of the group, Captain Oswald Reid, was awarded the Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2541 Sjt: H. Slynn. 6/L.N. Lanc: R.); 1914-15 Star (2541 Cpl. H. Slynn. L.N. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. H. J. Slynn.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (2-Lt. H. J. Slynn. 2 King’s Regt.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Serjt. Horace J. Slynn); France, Third Republic, Medaille Militaire, silver gilt and enamel, with trophy of arms suspension, mounted for wear, light contact marks, nearly very fine and better (9) £2400-2800 Footnote D.C.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He set a magnificent example to his men, and materially assisted in relieving a critical situation.’ Order of the Day No. 67 dated 2 April 1917 states: ‘Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. For conspicuous gallantry when with the beleaguered garrison on the further bank of the river. By his personal courage, resource and grim determination, he conspicuously stood out as a leader and inspired all under him to maintain that spirit of the offensive which was the soul of the defence. He materially assisted in relieving a critical situation.’ Medaille Militaire London Gazette 26 September 1917: ‘For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign.’ Annexe to General Routine Order No 761 dated 17 November 1917 states: ‘Awarded the Medaille Militaire by the French Republic for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign in Mesopotamia.’ Horace John Slynn was born in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, on 5 June 1895, and was educated at Birmingham Technical School. He attested for the Special Reserve Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, on 16 June 1914, and following the outbreak of the Great War was transferred in the rank of Lance-Corporal to the 11th (Reserve) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, on 21 October 1914. Promoted Corporal on 8 January 1915, he then transferred to the 6th Battalion on 23 August 1915, leaving the following day to reinforce the Battalion in Gallipoli where it had almost been annihilated. Shortly thereafter the decision was taken to evacuate the Gallipoli Peninsula and by the beginning of 1916 the 6th Loyals were encamped at Port Said, Egypt before being ordered to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra in March 1916. Here they formed part of the 38th (Lancashire) Infantry Brigade of the 13th (Western) Division of Kitchener's New Army. After an unsuccessful attempt to relieve a besieged British Garrison at Kut in April 1916, the 6th Loyals were part of the allied force that retook Kut in February 1917 and then, moving on towards Baghdad, were selected to force a crossing of the Diyalah River, the Turks last main line of defence. By this time Horace Slynn had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant with effect from 22 June 1916. The Defence at the Diyala River Attempts by 38th Brigade to force a crossing of the Diyala River during the night of 7 March 1917 bad been abandoned in the face of fierce Turkish resistance and heavy losses with men being shot down in waves as they tried to ferry pontoons across the river. A further attempt was made the following night under cover of an intense artillery barrage, and eventually around 100 men, including Horace Slynn, and four officers of the