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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 82

British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. H. S. Hargreaves.), suspension loose, nearly extremely fine

Henry Shiels Hargreaves was born on 4 October 1884, son of William Hargreaves of Esher, Surrey. Educated at the Government High School and the recipient of a 2nd Class Army Certificate, he attested for the 17th Lancers at Edinburgh on 4 June 1903. Having served 9 Years and 40 days in India, Hargreaves was posted to France on 8 November 1914 and completed Officer Training with the 21st Officer Cadet Battalion, 17th Lancers. Stating his equine and veterinary knowledge, together with past experience as a riding instructor, Hargreaves requested a commission with the Army Service Corps, but found himself commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment on 26 September 1917. Having already spent some months in the trenches, his papers note the strong desire to join a mounted unit, but this was denied.

Hargreaves was severely wounded at 'Bois Grenier', Armentieres, on 17 January 1918 suffering a gunshot wound to the left leg which resulted in a compound fracture of the tibia in his left leg - this consequently led to both a loss of tissue and significant loss of mobility. He was evacuated home to recover for two months at the Anstie Grange Hospital, Holmwood, Surrey. According to a letter written to the War Office on 24 April 1918, considerable complications remained:

'My wound still remains open and fragments of bone are still coming away.'

Promoted Lieutenant on 26 March 1919, Hargreaves was discharged from service in 1920 and returned home to Warren Lodge, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. The recipient of a 70% disability pension, he died on 24 September 1970 leaving a widow, Vera Amelia of Marine Court, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex; sold with copied service record and MIC.


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Sold for
£35

Starting price
£30