THE VICTORIA CROSS MEDAL GROUP AWARDED TO SERGEANT ARNOLD LOOSEMORE, 8TH BN, DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S REGIMENT, HAS BEEN SOLD AT A NOONAN'S AUCTION.
26 July 2023


( select to enlarge )
Medal entitlement of Sergeant Arnold Loosemore,
8th Bn, Duke of Wellington's ( West Riding ) Regiment

  • Victoria Cross
  • Distinguished Conduct Medal ( DCM )
  • 1914-15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )

The Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal group awarded to Sergeant Arnold Loosemore, 8th Bn, Duke of Wellington's ( West Riding ) Regiment, has been sold at auction by Noonan's of London.

The sale estimate was between £180,000 and £220,000. The sale hammer price realised £220,000. The Arnold Loosemore Victoria Cross group was purchased by the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection.


For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 14 September 1917 ], Langemark, Belgium, 11 August 1917, Private Arnold Loosemore, 8th Bn, Duke of Wellington's ( West Riding ) Regiment

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative ( South of Langemarck, Flanders ) during the attack on a strongly-held enemy position.

His platoon having been checked by heavy machine gun fire, he crawled through partially cut wire, dragging his Lewis gun with him, and single-handed dealt with a strong party of the enemy, killing about twenty of them, and thus covering the consolidation of the position taken up by his platoon.

Immediately afterwards his Lewis gun was blown up by a bomb, and three enemy rushed for him, but he shot them all with his revolver.

Later, he shot several enemy snipers, exposing himself to heavy fire each time. On returning to the original post he also brought back a wounded comrade under heavy fire at the risk of his life.

He displayed throughout an utter disregard of danger.

Arnold Loosemore was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 2nd January 1918.


For the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal ( DCM )

[ London Gazette, 3 October 1918 ], Zillebeke, Belgium, 19 June 1918, Sergeant Arnold Loosemore, 8th Bn, Duke of Wellington's ( West Riding ) Regiment.

On 19 June 1918 at Zillebeke, Belgium when out with a fighting patrol he displayed conspicuous gallantry and powers of leadership when his officer was wounded and the platoon scattered by hostile bombs.

He rallied the men and brought them back in order with all the wounded to friendly lines.

On a subsequent occasion he handled his platoon with great skill and a complete disregard of his own danger under heavy machine gun fire. It was owing to his determination and powers of leadership that the platoon eventually captured the enemy post which they were attacking.


Arnold Loosemore died as a result of his war wounds on the 10th April 1924 and was buried in All Saints Churchyard, Ecclesall, Sheffield.

Acquisitions

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Iain Stewart, 26 July 2023