Distinguished Service Order, George V (in silver with red, white and green enamels, measuring 19.3 mm (w) x 22.2 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring); Military Cross, George V (in silver, measuring 20.7 mm (w) x 23.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring); 1914-15 Star (in bronze gilt, measuring 19.5 mm (w) x 21.5 mm (h)); British War Medal (in silver, measuring 17.8 mm in diameter); and Victory Medal (in bronze gilt, measuring 18 mm in diameter). Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, dark patinas on the MC and BWM, tiny flake evident in the white enamels on the arm at 6 o'clock on the obverse, contact marks on the reverse of the Star, original ribbons, better than very fine. Accompanied by a Photograph of Major Gemmell, 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment (in black and white, measuring 153 mm (w) x 208 mm (h)), a Letter from the War Office (inscribed with his citation), two Newspaper Clippings (acknowledging his award of the Military Cross), a Booklet entitled "The Statutes of the Distinguished Service Order", along with assorted research papers.
Footnote: John Salisbury Gemmell was born on January 24, 1878, the son of William Ross Robertson Gemmell and Elizabeth Curtis Salisbury. During the First World War, Gemmell served as an officer with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. Temporary Captain John Salisbury Gemmell, Manchester Regiment was awarded the Military Cross, the announcement appearing in the Third Supplement to the London Gazette 30399 of Friday, November 23, 1917, on Monday, November 26, 1917, page 12319. Temporary Major John Salisbury Gemmell, M.C., 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the announcement appearing in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 31219 of Friday, March 7, 1919, on Saturday, March 8, 1919, page 3225. His citation for the Distinguished Service Order was published seven months later in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 31583 of Friday, October 3, 1919, on Saturday, October 4, 1919, page 12223: "For conspicuous gallantry and initiative in command of the reserve battalion between Pouchaux and Premonton, 8th October, 1918. Finding that machine-gun fire was coming from a copse 1,000 yards outside the divisional boundary, he at once formed a defensive flank to safeguard the right flank of the brigade. He then attacked the copse, which contained several machine guns and mortars, and mopped it up. By doing so he greatly assisted the advance." Temporary Major John Salisbury Gemmell, DSO, MC, 29th Battalion, Manchester Regiment was Mentioned in Despatches, the announcement appearing in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 31442 of Tuesday, July 8, 1919, on Wednesday, July 9, 1919, page 8704. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.