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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 253

(x) The Bronze Memorial Plaque awarded in memory of A. E. C. Cart De Lafontaine, East Yorkshire Regiment, late King's Royal Rifle Corps

Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Alfred Edward Cecil Cart De Lafontaine), contact marks, very fine

M.C. London Gazette 6 September 1915, citation from The Radleian 23 October 1915:


'For conspicuous gallantry and coolness during the attack on Hooge on 9th August, 1915, when he reorganized portions of several companies and led them back to their original positions under heavy shell fire.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January and 15 June 1916

Alfred Edward Cecil Cart De Lafontaine was born on 22 November 1887 in Surrey, England. Son of Henry Thomas Cart de Lafontaine and Fanny Elizabeth Dawe. He was educated at Radley School and was commisioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, King's Royal Rifles Corps on 4 March 1907.

When this Battalion finished its training period it was quickly posted to the Special Reserve, this formation often provided replacement officers to the regular Army. Cart de Lafontaine transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment in 1909, being promoted Lieutenant on 16 April 1913.

He was married at York to Mary Evelyn Palmes in 1913. On the outbreak of the East Yorkshire Regiment was a part of 6th Division under Sir John Kier, which joined the War in Belgium in September 1914 and Cart de Lafontaine arriving on 23 April 1915. From their arrival the Regiment remained in the vicinity of Ypres and it was here that Cart de Lafontaine was promoted Captain on 9 May 1915. It was also in this area, near Hooge that he won his M.C. on 9 August 1915, for reforming disorganised troops from several companies and returning them to their positions, all under heavy fire.

The 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment was transferred to the 21st Division in November 1915 not long after the Battle of Loos. Cart de Lafontaine was seconded to Headquarters 76th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division to act as a Staff Officer from 6 December 1915. However this position did not shield him from danger and having moved further south to take part in the Somme Offensive he was killed at Montauban on 9 July 1916. He is buried in at the Carnoy Military Cemetery where the inscription upon his grave reads:

'Who gave his life for his country at Montauban 'look beyond the sword to the cross'.'

Cart de Lafontaine was survived by his wife and both parents, his father later commemorated his death with the gift of a Silver Cup to Radley School. Sold togther with copied research.



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Sold for
£220

Starting price
£80