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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 265

A Great War M.C. group of three to Captain H. N. King, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., engraved on reverse '2nd Lieut. H. N. King. 2/4Bn Loyal North. Lancs. Regt "Cordonnerie" July 29th 1917.'; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. N. King.); Defence Medal 1939-45, the first three mounted as worn, very fine (4)

M.C. London Gazette 9 January 1918:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when leading his platoon in a raid on the enemy trenches. After fierce hand-to-hand fighting, in which his Platoon Sergeant and four section leaders were all wounded, an enemy party superior in numbers appeared on his right. He at once collected his men, charged this party, and in a second hand-to-hand fight put them to flight. Although half his Platoon had become casualties, he remained out in No Man's Land until ordered to retire, when he collected wounded and brought them in. His absolute contempt of danger and fine leadership so inspired his men that they were completely routed a force of twice their strength.'

Harry Norman King was born in 1881 at Mill House, Great Chesterford, Essex, into the family firm of flour millers and farmers. Attesting on 29 December 1914 into the 28th London Regiment with the (No. 3076), he remained in London between 29 December 1914-5 August 1915. Oddly King was noted as entering the war in France in February 1917, having been commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 28 March 1917.

During the Second World War he commanded and trained the local Home Guard comprised mostly of men from the family firm of mill hands and farm labourers; sold together with a small archive of original material comprising:

i)
Box for the Military Cross.

ii)
Corresponding miniatures, these all mounted as worn.

iii)
Copy photograph of him in wedding attire.

iv)
A more personal biography of King, writen by Nanette Whiteway (nee King) after his death.

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Sold for
£900

Starting price
£600