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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 306

Seven: Honorary Colonel H. Van Gruisen, Cheshire Regiment, also Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force

British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. Van Gruisen.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Capt. H. Van Gruisen. Ches. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, very fine, the third rather scarce to unit (7)

Approximately 17 Territorial Force War Medals issued to Officers of the Cheshire Regiment out of a total of 195 Medals to all ranks. It appears just four are named in the rank of Captain.

Henry Van Gruisen was born at Birkenhead on 21 November 1893, the son of Albert Henry van Gruisen, a fruit broker. Young Van Gruisen was educated at Rugby School, at which he served in the O.T.C. for two years and a term, leaving as a Lance-Corporal.

Upon the outbreak of the Great War he was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in December 1914 - also being its Adjutant - and served in Mesopotamia from 1 November 1916. He was admitted to the 19th General Hospital in October 1917 suffering from malaria and had his Medals issued to him at the Spanish Buildings, 42 Stanley Street, Liverpool in February 1923. He served as an Alderman and Councillor in Liverpool and was also a fruit broker by trade.

By 1939 he was living in Ruislip and during the Second World War he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force. Van Gruisen retired as Squadron Leader in 1954 and had also served as a member of the Home Guard from 1952-56. He died at Hillingdon on 26 October 1968.

Sold together with his Birth Certificate, Rugby School silver hallmarked prize Medal named 'Plate Diving 2nd Prize 1910, H. Van. Gruisen', his O.T.C. Certificate - and also that of his brother, Wilfred, who died of wounds in November 1916 and won the Military Cross - of service, family passports and will, Army Council demobilisation dated 26 May 1919, Special Constable Certificate for 1926, Home Guard Certificate 1952-56, a selection of badges and whistle, leather bound notebook and copied research.

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Sold for
£520

Starting price
£270