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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 244

A 'Great War' C.B., C.M.G. group of eight awarded to Brigadier-General F. H. Crampton, Royal Artillery, a career Gunner Officer, who was Fortress Commander at Dover at the Outbreak of the Great War and later G.O.C. Heavy Artillery in France

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion's neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, (C.M.G.), Companion's neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Egypt 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Lieut: F. H. Crampton. 5/1. Sco: Div: R.A.); 1914-15 Star (Brig. Gen. F. H. Crampton.); British War and Victory Medals (Brig. Gen. F. H. Crampton.); Coronation 1911; Khedive's Star 1884-6, light enamel damage to the first, contact wear to the Egypt and Sudan Medal, otherwise good very fine (8)

C.B. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

C.M.G. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January & 15 May 1917.

Fiennes Henry Crampton was born on 2 June 1862, the son of Captain Philip Henry Crampton of Fassaro. Educated at the Royal Academy Gosport (Burney's) and then at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, he joined the Royal Artillery in 1880 and served in Egypt as part of the Frontier Field Force 1885-86. Promoted Captain in 1888 and Major in 1898, he became an Instructor at the Royal Military Academy from 1893-1900 and Chief Instructor between 1900-1902. Further advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1908, this was followed with a spell as Coast Defence Commander at Harwich in 1911, by which time he had been promoted to full Colonel and Chief Instructor in Gunnery, South Coast Defences from 1912-13.

He came to Dover on 4 January 1914, as Officer in command of the South Eastern Coast Defences. The Brigadier-General noted that the land defences around Dover only consisted of Citadel Battery and Langdon Battery – both erected in 1900 and armed with 9.2" guns. He added that even one of those had been removed. At the Drop Redoubt, there were two machine guns while the only anti-aircraft gun was a 12-pounder at the Langdon battery but there were no anti-aircraft searchlights.

On the 23 October General Crampton, now G.O.C. Commander of Dover issued an order which was publicised in the Dover Express stating that all foreigners should be excluded from Dover.

After a year in this position he served on the Western Front from 7 August 1915 as G.O.C. Heavy Artillery until November 1917, followed by G.O.C. Cromarty from November 1917 until November 1919.

Despite being additionally eligible to a Silver War Badge, he appears not to have claimed it, his Medals were sent to Braemore, Camberley, Surrey. Crampton was a member of the M.C.C. and the Royal North Devon Golf Club and died on 7 January 1938.

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Sold for
£1,700

Starting price
£1200