A regionally and nationally important military cross awarded to… - Antique Auction - Dunbar Sloane Ltd.

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Description:

A regionally and nationally important military cross awarded to a Rotorua man who as a member of the Auckland Infantry Regiment was awarded the decoration for bravery at Gallipoli where, amongst other actions, he took part in the bayonet charge at Quinn's post, personally accounting for many Turks, and later being one of the small party of men who acted as cover in what was considered a suicide mission during the evacuation of Gallipoli, the cross contained in its case of issue and inscribed '12/373 Major G H Holland Nzef', there were 2 military Crosses awarded to the Auckland Regiment for Gallipoli, and just 29 in total for this campaign won by NZers, the recipient was also awarded a Mention in Despatches for Gallipoli, making him one of just a handful of men to receive double gallantry awards for this theatre. He was one of the most highly regarded Aucklanders of World War I, having landed on Gallipoli as a private and left as a Temporary Captain 'such was his bravery and ferocity in battle. This is one of the most important New Zealand Gallipoli gallantry awards in private hands. George Henry Holland, of Rotorua, enlisted in the Auckland Infantry Regt as a private and embarked with the Main body as number 12/373. He was an original Lander at Gallipoli and was one of a small party of men of the Auckland Regt who took part in a brutal bayonet charge at Quinns post, the official History of the Auckland Regt best describes the action 'The Fire Slackens Now, and the Left Assault Party Go in with the Bayonet. For the First Time Here Is Opportunity. at the Landing, at Helles, Their Mates Were Shot Down Helplessly, and Never a Turk Would Come Within Reach of the Cold Steel. But Now, 'A¿A¿Ah,' the old primitive blood lust is only thinly buried after all, the Turks are beaten, their trench is a death-trap. Into it! into it! 'Kill The.', the McKenzies, Tilsley, Holland, black, Melville, Coutts¿they are all into the trench, stabbing, shooting, bayonets red with blood. Thirty Turks surrender, and are sent back. Fifty more are dead, and their bodies thrown out of the trench form a rough parapet in frontË' for his bravery and service at Gallipoli Holland was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and then Lieutenant, the official History is littered with accounts of his bravery. Holland was also one of a handful of men who remained on Gallipoli to cover the withdrawal. Again, the official History by Burton best describes this bravery 'As For the Small Covering Party, They Were Looked Upon As the Men Who Were to Die For the Sake of Their Comrades. Scores of Men Begged For a Place in This Little Band, the Main Body and Those Who Had Seen Much Fighting Were the Keenest of All, They Begged For a Place As a Privilege, They Demanded It As a Right, They Entreated and Cajoled¿Everything That Could Be Done They Did to Secure a Place in This Fellowship of Sacrifice. None Expected Them to Come Through Alive¿They, Least of All, Had Any Hope of Life. It Was a Supreme Act, Made Without Fuss Or Show of Emotion, in a Fashion Typically New Zealand, the Names of the Officers and Men of This Last Party Were:¿Major Alderman, Lieutenant 'Jock' McKenzie, Lieutenant Holland, Dr. Addison, Lieutenant page, Sergeant Gasparich, Sergeant Francis, Sergeant Thompson, Sergeant Wilson, Sergeant Seddon, Sergeant Brook, Q.M.S. Stunnell, Sergeant Todd, Corporal Richardson, Corporal Cowan, Corporal Smith, Lance-Corporal Smith, Lance-Corporal McCready, private Harding, private Lander, private Lynn, private Raymond, private French, private Rogers.' at the conclusion of the Gallipoli campaign Holland was awarded the military cross. One of just 29 to NZers for Gallipoli and one of only 2 to the Auckland Regt. Military cross-London Gazette, 3 June 1916, p5578, WA 22/5/10: Sept-Dec 1915 Gallipoli Peninsula. For invaluable services rendered during the whole time between the landing and the evacuation. He was also awarded a mention in despatches (mid) for Gallipoli. Mentioned in Despatches-Lon

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Militaria & Weapons: Medals, Badges, Insignia