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• Auction House:
  Webb's
• Sale Name:
  The Gibson Collection of Orders, Decorations and Medals
• Sale Date:
  09 Apr 2014 ~ 6.30pm (NZ time)
• Lot #:
  32
• Lot Description:
  Gallipoli DSO in important group of 10 to Colonel Bertram Sibbald Finn, CBE, DSO, ED, NZ Medical Corps & NZ Dental Corps.
  (i) Commander of the military division of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), 2nd type neck badge. (ii) Companion of The Distinguished Service Order (DSO), George V. Ribbon for Queen's South Africa Medal which has been missing before Captain Stagg acquired group. (iii) King's South Africa Medal 1901-02, w/2c 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902' (1444 Tpr B S Finn, Vict M R) (iv) 1914-15 Star (12/591 Mjr B S Finn, NZEF). (v) British War Medal 1914-18 (12/591 Mjr B S Finn, NZEF). (vi) Victory Medal 1919 with MID emblem (12/591 Mjr B S Finn, NZEF). (vii) War Medal 1939-45. (viii) New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45. (ix) King George VI Coronation Medal 1937. (x) Efficiency Decoration, New Zealand, (ED) GRI cypher (T. Col. B S Finn, NZDC), approved 26 September 1946. Approximately 501 issued. Also entitled to, but not included, the New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal, approved 1937. CBE (Additional) New Year Honours 1945, London Gazette Supplement 29 December 1944; NZ Gazette No 7 1 February 1945; DSO London Gazette 29 October 1915, page 10730. Plus a copy of 'The New Zealand dental services' by T.V. Anson. Wellington : War History Branch, Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1960. 8vo. xi, 422 p., maps, illustrated. Hard cover with dust jacket. Mild wear. G. Citation: [Captain, NZ Medical Corps] For conspicuous devotion to duty in the Gallipoli peninsula during operations from 6th to 9th August, 1915, when he worked day and night with unceasing zeal and without rest evacuating the wounded. His work was carried out under continuous fire, on one occasion the dressing station being heavily shelled for an hour, and many assistants and wounded being hit. Owing to Captain Finn's efforts the wounded lying in the more exposed positions were got into a place of greater safety. [Approximately 21 DSO to New Zealand officers at Gallipoli.] Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 5 November 1915, page 11003. With research notes and record of service.
• Provenance:
  From the collection of the late Captain G T Stagg, SBStJ, FRNSNZ, RNZA(Rtd.) 1913-1971.
• Notes:
  Finn was born in Invercargill on 18 October 1880. Attended Wanganui Collegiate School 1894-96. Qualified as a Dental Surgeon. He served as a trooper with 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles and discharged as a Lieutenant. In this rank he was attested at Auckland in 22 August 1914, promoted by General Godley to Captain, NZ Medical Corps, 20 November 1914. Appointed Administrative Dental Officer to NZEF 31 January 1916. Following establishment of NZ Dental Corps in February 1916 he was promoted to Major; returned to NZ in 1918 and struck-off strength of NZEF and taken on strength of NZ Dental Corps. In 1934 appointed Director of Dental Services, with rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. 1939 appointed Director of Dental Services (Navy, Army and Air Force); appointed temporary Colonel in 1940. King's Honorary Dental Surgeon 1946-1949. He played a significant role in the history of the NZ Dental Corps. See T V Anson, 'The New Zealand Dental Corps: Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939-45', Wellington : 1960. Finn's portrait is the frontispiece in this book. Past President NZ Dental Association. Died in Auckland 23 August 1952.
• Estimate:
  NZ$15,000 - 25,000
• Realised Price:
  Undisclosed
• Category:
  Militaria & Weapons

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.