First WWI Victoria Cross (1 Viewer)

[BLReed]

http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.c...3pc-on-estimate-in-London/11416.page?catid=26

"..........the outstanding group of six medals soar past its £180,000 high estimate to achieve £276,000 ($433,653), including the buyer's premium.

The Victoria Cross was awarded to Private Sidney Godley for his heroic efforts in defending the Nimy Bridge at Mons on August 23, 1914. Already severely wounded by shrapnel and with a bullet lodged in his skull, Godley volunteered to man a crucial machine gun after his commanding officer had been killed by heavy fire from the German forces.

He held the position successfully for over two hours, insisting on maintaining cover until the rest of his battalion had reached safety. Once they were clear, Godley then destroyed the weapon to ensure that it could not be used against him and escaped the Nimy Bridge.

Unfortunately, he was soon captured by German troops as they advanced over the bridge and was sent to a prisoner of war camp. Godley remained there for four years until he managed a daring escape in 1918, seizing the opportunity when his captors left their posts during the revolution in Berlin.

As a testament to his bravery, Godley was awarded the six medals at auction throughout the remainder of his life. The collection includesd the Victoria Cross, British war and victory medals, and coronation medals from both 1937 and 1953."

 

[Mitch]

A superb set of medals from a brave man. I would really like to own one of these!!! Have seen the ashcroft collection and, its stunning and humbling when you read about what these men did to earn the greatest medal in the world.
Mitch

 

[johnnybach]

I would prefer to see medals such as these go into a museum - preferably a Regimental one - rather than be available for purchase by private and wealthy individuals.

I know the argument goes that it then stops brave men from profiting from their endeavours - when later on in life, some are sometimes in dire straits - but I still can't get around the somewhat uncomfortable feeling it gives me - that rich individuals are able to BUY decorations awarded for extreme acts of bravery.

You can always buy a facsimile.

Sorry about that - must just be me. Johnnybach

 

[BLReed]

I would prefer to see medals such as these go into a museum - preferably a Regimental one - rather than be available for purchase by private and wealthy individuals.

I kind of agree with you. At least in principle. But a lot of times someone buys and donates
to a museum (a tax deduction in th U.S.). Then later the museum sells to buy something
they want more. Doubt that would be the case with a Regimental Museum. Anyway I'm happy
with my reproduction.

 

[johnnybach]

Hi BL - True enough - some folks kindly purchase for donation to museums - who would otherwise find it difficult to raise the funds to buy VC's on the open market. I wasn't really referring to such folks - rather those who just want to own one for themselves, or to buy and sell as investments. I alway recommend joining the Army to such guys - and then doing something incredibly brave on active service - when they just MIGHT get lucky!

The South Wales Borderers Museum in Brecon, South Wales (actually re-named The Royal Welsh museum these days - due to Regimental almalgamations) has a truly magnificent display of over 3,000 medals in their medal room - and proudly displays 16 VC's won by members of the 24th foot - including some won at Rorke's Drift ( though remember that they weren't called SWB's at that time!).

In actual fact - the VC display features 16 replica medals - rather similar to the one you have in your beautiful little display - as the real medals are far too valuable to go on display - and are kept safely under lock and key, these days. I was advised by one of the curators there on a recent visit - that the insurance premiums and security features they would have to employ - would have been prohibitive. They also advise that they would NEVER sell any of them - which is why my Father-in Law's medals were donated to the Museum, after he had passed away (to comply with his last wishes). The point is - it is difficult to tell from a distance that the VC's are replicas - so owning a facsimile would seem perfectly okay to me - indeed I have a miniature version that I bought there - alongside my few 24th Foot TS too.jb