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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 677

(x) A fine and well documented 'Battle of Cambrai' 1917 M.M. group of four awarded to Acting Corporal M. H. Brown, Royal Engineers, who was decorated for service as a Signalman under heavy German artillery fire - which resulted in only half of the British Mark IV tanks remaining operational on the second day of the attack

Military Medal, G.V.R. (26576 Sapr. -L.Cpl.- M. H. Brown. 12/D.S. Coy. R.E.); 1914-15 Star (26576 Pnr. M. H. Brown. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (26576 A-Cpl. M. H. Brown. R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, swing mounted as worn, minor contact marks to first, very fine (7)


M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918.

The Kent Courier, 28 December 1917, adds a little detail regarding the award of the Military Medal:

'For gallantry in maintaining communications under heavy fire at Cambrai'.

Maurice Henry Brown was born in 1894 at Dover, Kent, the son of Alfred and Mary Eliza Brown of 13 Elm Cottage, Marlpit Hill, Edenbridge, Kent. A pre-war Territorial and member of the Edenbridge Scout Association, Brown attested for the Royal Engineers at Maidstone on 15 June 1914 and served in France from 20 February 1915. He was awarded the M.M. whilst serving as a Signalman and was discharged at Chatham on 21 June 1920 after service with 'X' Company of the Signal Service Training Centre of the Royal Engineers. His character certificate notes:

'Has been very good - honest, sober - has been employed in Army as field lineman, awarded Military Medal'.

Brown returned home to 6 Victoria Road, Edenbridge, and spent the 1920's working as a painter and decorator and serving with his local Territorial unit until 14 June 1930 at the termination of his engagement. On 24 January 1940, he was examined for second service with the Royal Engineers. Rated 'Grade 1', Brown embarked for brief service in Norway from 22 April 1940-3 May 1940, followed by Iceland from 27 July 1940-7 December 1941. However, it was whilst in these cold climates that his health began to fail him, his medical notes referring to 'several years of winter cough, shortness of breath, tightness of chest on exertion, appetite poor'.

Diagnosed as suffering from bronchitis, Brown fought a concerted campaign to attribute his illness to war service; he finally succeeded on appeal and was granted a 20% disability pension on 7 November 1952; sold with original Soldier's Small Book, Character Certificate, Certificate of Discharge, British Legion Associate's Card (Edenbridge), paperwork relating to application for disability pension and a photograph of the recipient, together with copied MIC.


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Sold for
£700

Starting price
£270