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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 257

(x) The 'Second Battle of Ypres' D.S.O., '1912' T.D. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel H. E. Hanson, Royal Field Artillery, who was five times 'mentioned' when commanding the Northumbrian Brigade during the Great War

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col. H. E. Hanson R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. H. E. Hanson); Coronation 1911; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver hallmarks for London 1912, the left obverse ray of the first somewhat chipped and the enamel centres loose, very fine, remainder better (6)

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1916.

Harry Ernest Hanson was born at Leith, Midlothian, Scotland on 2 March 1873, the son of Henry and Laura Hanson. Educated at Marlborough College, Hanson joined his father's Hull based business, Major & Co as a Secretary moving to Kingston-upon-Hull. It was at this time he joined the 2nd East Riding of Yorkshire Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers on 8 April 1893. Advanced first Lieutenant on 31 October 1894 and later Captain on 7 February 1900 he continued to serve as he advanced in his business.

Becoming Director of his firm Hanson married Ivy Wellstead, daughter of Colonel W. H. Wellstead in 1906 and become Major and second-in-command of his unit on 7 March 1907. With the formation of the Territorial Force his unit was redesignated the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade.

Advanced to command the Brigade on 6 July 1912 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel Hanson retired the next year in December 1913. However he soon returned to the colours as Europe built towards war he requested a role. When it was found that the fixed establishment of Lieutenant-Colonels in the Territorial Force was full he accepted the reduced rank of Major which he was commissioned to on 14 August 1914.

Posted again to the Northumbrian Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (T.F.) he joined the war in France on 20 April 1915. Placed in command of the 2nd East Riding Battery, he commanded it at the Second Battle of Ypres in the Spring of 1915 earning a D.S.O. for his leadership along with a 'mention' (London Gazette 1 January 1916). Invested with his new award at Buckingham Palace on 8 April 1916 he was posted back to France.

Hanson was posted to command the 253rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery with a promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel on 6 July 1916 before joining 252nd Brigade in December where he was 'mentioned' (London Gazette 4 January 1917). Posted to 251st Brigade he was 'mentioned' twice again here (London Gazette 18 May 1917, London Gazette 14 December 1917) he did not command for long, returning to Britain in May for the 158th Army Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Hanson took the Brigade to France and commanded it for the rest of the conflict receiving his fifth and final mention on 7 July 1919. Demobilised after the war he remained a Lieutenant Colonel until 2 March 1924 when he exceeded the age limit and resigned his commission. In retirement Hanson lived at Willow Garth, Hornsea, East Yorkshire, he was a keen member of the local hunt and President of the Hornsea Ex-Serviceman's Club. Tragically his life was cut somewhat short when on a ride with his daughter one morning he fell from his horse, The Daily Mail 13 August 1934 states:

'On July 7 she was riding with him about eight o'clock in the morning. They had been on the beach at Hornsea, Burton, and were returning home when the mare her father was riding bolted. Her father fell off and was badly injured.'

Hanson lived for a week after the accident but was unable to recover, he died on 11 August 1934 and is buried at Mappleton Unitary Authority, East Riding; sold together with five original mention in despatches certificates as well as copied research including London Gazette extracts, census data and an obituary as well as service papers and an M.I.C.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£900

Starting price
£800