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Auction: 22102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction VI - e-Auction
Lot: 152

The British War Medal awarded to Lieutenant M. Hemmant, Rifle Brigade, an Old Tonbridgian who was killed by a sniper on the Western Front in 1917

British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. M. Hemmant.), extremely fine

Maurice Hemmant was born in 1888, the eighth and youngest son of William Hemmant J.P of 'Bulimba', Sevenoaks, Kent. Entering Tonbridge School in May 1898 he went up to Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1906 to read Mathematics. A keen golfer (he was a member of the College XV), after University he took up a position as manager of a rubber estate in the Straits Settlements.
Upon the outbreak of war Hemmant returned to Britain and was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in May 1915. In France from November of that year he was, however, shortly afterward invalided home with the effects of a dislocated shoulder; upon recovery he was appointed Temporary Captain and Brigade Bombing Officer and returned to the Front in April 1917.

On 14 August that year, he was in command of a Company at Langemarck when he was shot and instantly killed by a German sniper; clearly a well-liked and respected officer, Hemmant's C.O. later wrote: "He was gallantly leading his Company to the attack when he fell, killed instantaneously, I cannot tell you how sorry I am to lose him; he was such a splendid officer, loved by us all. He seemed to have no idea of danger. I have never seen a pluckier fellow, and I know I cannot replace him." Maurice Hemmant is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

For further reading, see:
http://tonbridgeatwar.daisy.websds.net/Authenticated/ViewDets.aspx?RecID=167&TableName=ta_factfile

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Sold for
£520

Starting price
£60