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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 264

The Great War M.C. group of eight awarded to Major G. E. Cardwell, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and South Wales Borderers, who was several times decorated for gallantry and good work during his military career but who was later Cashiered for severe misconduct during the Second World War

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved '2nd Lt G. E. Cardwell, For Conspicuous Gallantry And High Devotion To Duty In The Field. 1916.'; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut: G.E. Cardwell: S. Wales Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G.E. Cardwell); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24 (Lieut. G.E. Cardwell. R.W. Fus.), clasps attached with cotton thread; Coronation 1911; France, Republic, Croix de Guerre, with Palme upon riband, reverse dated '1914-1918'; Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver issue, the reverse engraved '2nd Lt. G E Cardwell. 1915', mounted as worn, first and last engraved in the same contemporary style, light polishing and wear, very fine (8)

M.C. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

Al Valore Militare London Gazette 31 August 1917.

Croix de Guerre remains unconfirmed.

George Edward Cardwell was born in September 1893 and was commissioned temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 10 March 1915 (London Gazette 16 March 1915, refers). Serving in France from 5 September of that year with the 8th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers, he later transferred to the 7th (Service) Battalion and both formations participated in the Salonika campaign from October 1915. Several years of heavy fighting resulted, with Cardwell being awarded both the Military Cross and Al Valore Militare in the space of the few months. At the conclusion of the Great War, Cardwell was with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers for operations in Waziristan before returning home to the United Kingdom; his M.I.C. notes his Medals being sent to his address at Warley Wood in Birmingham.

Remaining with the Regular Army during the Inter-War period, Cardwell retired (as Lieutenant) with a gratuity on 27 August 1927 (London Gazette, 26 August 1927, refers). Cardwell was, however, recalled for service during the Second World War with his old Regiment, being noted as a War Substantive Captain and Temporary Major. Intriguingly, he suffered a significant fall from grace in 1944: whilst attached to 165 Transit Camp in Beirut with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, he was arrested and charged with multiple offences including 'Conversion of Property', 'Fraudulent misapplication of property belonging to a person subject to military law', and Section 40 of the Army Act. Pleading (and found) guilty, he was consequently Cashiered (London Gazette, 1 August 1944, refers) - though an additional sentence of three years' penal servitude was later commuted to 'I.H.L.' for one year.

Sold together with a quantity of copied research including Medal Roll extracts, London Gazette entries, and extracts from the Court Martial records.

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