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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1027

The 1954 Civil M.B.E. and 'Ypres 1917' M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant G. Harley, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd Type, Civil Division, silver-gilt, in its Royal Mint case of issue; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed, in its case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. Harley.), good very fine (4)

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1954.

M.C. London Gazette 7 March 1918, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a party carrying stores forward. The party was caught in a very heavy enemy's barrage, which caused several casualties. He reorganised his party, detailed men to remain with the wounded, and got all the stores to the front line. He then with his party, under heavy fire, dug an assembly trench, which was essential to the next day's operations. He carried out a difficult and important task with great coolness and judgment.'

Gordon Harley was born at Cardiff, Glamorgan on 19 January 1892, the son of John and Clara Harley and nephew of the artist Henry Stephen 'Hal' Ludlow. He was working as an Assistant Chief Civil Engineer and living at Redlands Road, Penarth prior to enlisting on 13 August 1914 with the 13th (Kensington Rifles) Battalion, County of London Regiment. Later joining the Monmouth Regiment and being commissioned into the Royal Engineers with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant on 18 December 1915.

Harley entered the war in France in May 1916 with 92 Field Company and committed his act of gallantry during the Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917. Remaining in action until the Battle of Albert 1918, he was wounded in the right foot by a gunshot and taken to 72 General Hospital on 5 June 1918. Returning to the front on 27 September Harley served with No. 439 Field Company until the end of the war.

After the war he entered the Civil Service and began work for the Ministry of Labour and National Service. He was awarded the M.B.E. in the New Years Honours List 1954 for his work as Training Service Officer II. Harley died in January 1981 at London.

Sold together with an archive of original material comprising:

(i)
Officer's record of service.

(ii)
A 1915 issue whistle.

(iii)
Two Field Works notebooks named to '2nd Lt: G. Harley'.

(iv)
An album of original photographs.

(v)
His hip flask.

(vi)
a 'bulldog' revolver in its leather holster, with certificate of deactivation.

(vii)
A newspaper clipping referring to the award of the M.B.E.

(viii)
Corresponding dress miniatures with an additional 1914-15 Star, something he was not entitled to.

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Sold for
£1,400

Starting price
£550