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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 268

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

A fine Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Captain H. N. King, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, for racing across No Man's Land to rescue the Pilot of a downed aeroplane. the whole while under heavy fire

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved '2nd. H. N. King. 2/4 Bn. Loyal North. Lancs. Regt. July 29th 1917'; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. N. King.), mounted as worn, good very fine (3)

M.C. London Gazette 27 September 1917:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a British aeroplane was forced down by enemy aircraft, he jumped out of his advanced post and ran across No Man's Land with an N.C.O. to render assistance. He then signalled for stretcher-bearers and brought the pilot, who was seriously wounded, safely back to our lines. During all this time this officer and the three menwho joined him were under heavy rifle fire and one of the stretcher-bearers was shot dead on the way back. He displayed admirable promptitude and courage.'

Harry Norman King - known as Norman to his family - was born in October 1881 at Mill House, Great Chesterfield, Essex. His mother died at an early age and Norman and his brother Ernest were taken in by their aunt. He served in France with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment from February 1917 and claimed his Medals in November 1921. During the Second World War he returned to the fold and commanded the local Home Guard unit. An avid musician, he played the organ at All Saints, Great Chesterford for many years. He died on 13 February 1966; sold with a typed biography from the family which includes a small portrait photograph.

See Lot 491 for his miniature awards.

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Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£550