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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 192

(x) The M.M. group of five awarded to Serjeant G. Platt, Royal Field Artillery

Military Medal, G.V.R. (31884 Sjt: G. Platt. 34/BY: R.F.A.); 1914 Star, clasp (31884 B.S. Mjr. G. Platt. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (31884 Sjt. G. Platt. R.A.); Delhi Durbar 1911, minor edge knock to M.M., light contact wear throughout, overall very fine (5)

M.M. London Gazette 10 August 1916.

George Platt was born circa 1880 in Runcorn, Chesire and worked as a moulder prior to his attestation with the Royal Artillery at age eighteen on 30 November 1898. It is noted on his service papers that Platt suffered from deafness, though the origin or longevity of his handicap are not specified.

Platt excelled in the Royal Artillery and quickly rose through the ranks. He was advanced Acting Bomber less than a year after his enlistment in September 1899 and was promoted Bomber just a few months later that December. Platt was advanced again in October 1900 to Corporal, shortly before embarking for Australia with his Regiment on 11 November 1900. He was posted there until returning home on 14 April 1901. Platt was again stationed overseas in South Africa from 10 May 1902, where he was promoted Sergeant on 1 January 1902. While in South Africa, on 10 October 1904 he extended his service with the Colours to twelve years. He was ordered to India directly from South Africa on 22 January 1905, and was to remain there for much of the next decade.

While in India on 6 October 1908 at Bareilly, Platt was married to Miss Harriet Stella Elliott, with whom he later welcomed two children: a daughter, Jessie Norah, born on 30 April 1909 and their son George Lloyd on 18 December 1910. Both children were born and baptised at Lucknow. Also at Lucknow in October 1910 Platt extended his service to complete 21 years'.

Nearly nine years after first arriving in India, on 8 January 1914 Platt was ordered back to England. Upon the outbreak of the First World War, he was ordered to France with his Regiment. He is recorded on 18 November 1914 was having been reduced to the rank of Driver, but once again he quickly rose the ranks, eventually regaining the rank of Sergeant on 1 September 1915. He earned his Military Medal for bravery in the field while in France in 1916. Platt returned home on furlough for much of August 1918 before heading back to France, where he remained until permanently returning to England after the War on 18 March 1919. He was presented with his Military Medal at Fulwood Barracks, Preston on 7 October 1919, and was discharged shortly afterwards on 29 December; sold together with copied research.

Platt is further entitled to a Queen's South Africa Medal with three clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and South Africa 1902.


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

Estimate
£500 to £700

Starting price
£400