An interesting Member of the Order of the British Empire and Distinguished Conduct Medal miniature medal group attributed to Battery Sergeant Major G. Bodfish, Royal Artillery, late of 206th Company, Machine Gun Corps who had initially joined the Royal Fusiliers seeing service in the Tibet operations and specifically in and around Gyantse from 3rd May to 6th July 1904. He would go on to serve in the Great War with the Royal Fusiliers and then the Machine Gun Corps, being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 26th July 1917 for his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. When the No.1 and 2 guns were knocked out he carried a gun forward, mounted it in the open, and used it with deadly effect, and later after all officers had become casualties, he held command for twenty four hours until relieved. Bodfish would later serve with the Russian Relief Force.
Group of 7 miniature medals: Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) 1st type, Military Division in silver; Distinguished Conduct Medal, GVR; Tibet Medal 1903-1904, 1 Clasp: Gyantse; 1914 Star slip on 5th Aug-22nd Nov bar; British War Medal; Victory Medal; Efficiency Medal, GVR crowned head, fixed Territorial Suspender. Loose-mounted for wear. Housed in a presentation case with silver plaque on the lid: ‘Presented to Bty.Sgt.Maj. G. Bodfish, M.B.E. D.C.M. by all ranks of 161st (C of L) A.A. Bty, R.A. (T.A.) as a token of esteem and affection on his retirement after 12 years loyal service as Battery Sergeant Major 10th March 1937.
Condition: Loose-mounted for wear, Good Very Fine
George Bodfish enlisted aged 18 on 1st March 1899 and joined the Royal Fusiliers as number L/7196. He would initially serve in Gibraltar from February 1900 to February 1901 and would then be present during the Tibet operations and specifically in the operations in and around Gyantse from 3rd May to 6th July 1904 at a time his service records show him in Burma (from February 1901 to June 1907).
Released to the Army Reserve on 17th July 1907, before being mobilised upon the outbreak of the Great War on 5th August 1914. Serving on the Western Front from 7th September 1914 he would be wounded that October and would return to the UK on 19th October 1914. Having recovered, he would return to France on 16th July 1915 and would be wounded in October of that year, and being discharged on 6th March 1916 upon the termination of his engagement.
He would be called out for service and rejoin at Kingston-On-Thames on 6th September 1916, being posted to 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers just two days later, and then being posted to 206 Company, Machine Gun Corps on 19th October 1916. Promoted Sergeant on 17th March 1917 he would serve in France until 9th February 1919, and would be discharged on 13th April 1919 as a result of having enlisted into the Russian Relief Force.
Bodfish was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 26th July 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion during an enemy attack. When Nos.1 and 2 guns were knocked out he carried a gun forward, mounted it in the open, and used it with deadly effect, and later after all officers had become casualties, he held command for twenty-four hours until relieved.’
