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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 60

1914-15 Star (Capt: C. O. Springfield. R.E.), nearly extremely fine

Charles Osborn Springfield was born around 1865, the third son of Thomas Osborn Springfield of Catton, Norwich. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 26 June 1890, he initially served with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, later transferring to the Manchester Regiment and Royal Engineers in which he served with the Western Militia Division of the Submarine Miners. Promoted Lieutenant, later Temporary Captain on 1 October 1914, Springfield landed at Gallipoli with the 68th Field Company, R.E., on 14 November 1915, where his knowledge of mining would have been in considerable demand following the stalemate of trench warfare on the Peninsula.

A drink to numb the pain

However, at Imbros on 29 December 1915, Springfield was tried by a General Court Martial on the charge of drunkenness when on active service in the town. He pleaded not guilty, but was convicted and sentenced to dismissal from service, later commuted to a severe reprimand by the G.O.C., Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. The commute of sentence may have been influenced by events on the Peninsula and need for experienced officers, but Springfield's medical notes indicate significant health issues, not least painful dental complaints.

On 10 January 1916, Springfield was admitted to hospital in Mudros suffering from influenza. Transferred to Malta a few days later, he was assessed by a Medical Board and reported unfit for service for 6 months suffering from pyorrhoea. Invalided to England aboard the H.S. Oxfordshire, he was assessed in February at St. Andrew's Hospital, the Lieutenant Dental Surgeon noting:

'I am afraid the pyorrhoea has gone too far for treatment. I have tried thorough sealing and mouthwashes but I am certain that the only possible treatment is a complete extraction. I am afraid it appears I am recommending too many for this, but the state of the officer's teeth is really appalling.'

Post-War, Springfield lived at 'Journey's End', West Mersea, Essex. He relinquished his commission in May 1919, but was not permitted to retain the rank of Captain, 'in view of the fact that it cannot be considered that your services were wholly satisfactory'; sold with copied service record and research.


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Sold for
£30