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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 547

Pair: Sergeant R. Brass, Army Service Corps, late Second Lieutenant, Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment, who was cashiered and must surely be one of few men to start the war as a commissioned officer but end it as an N.C.O.

British War and Victory Medals (M-316182 Sjt. R. Brass. A.S.C.), contact marks, very fine (2)

Pair: Sapper J. W. Milne, Royal Engineers

British War and Victory Medals (171125 Spr. J. W. Milne. R.E.), good very fine (2)

Reginald Brass was born at Charlaw House, Sacriston, Durham, the son of Thomas and Mary Brass. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment on 23 February 1915. An Article in the Yorkshire Post gives further details of his cashiering, stating:

'A general court-marshal was held yesterday on Sec. Lieut. Reginald Brass, York and Lancaster Regiment. Brigadier-General English presided. Mr. Edward Clark, of Newcastle, defended Lieut. Brass, who was charged with failing to report at a rendezvous, being absent without leave from August 9 to September 22, and by his absence failing to obey a lawful order.'

Despite this charge Brass was described as 'anxious to be a soldier and to do his duty'. Nevertheless he was cashiered and returned to civilian life only to be called up for service in 1917 with the Army Service Corps. Entering the war in August 1917 he fell foul of several disciplinary charges but despite this was raised to the rank of Sergeant in January 1918. Remarkably he may even have been decorated for his gallantry with the Mexborough and Swinton Times reporting that he had been awarded 'French Croix de Guerre with Star, the French Croix de Guerre with Palms, and the Medaille Militaire' in December 1918. Brass was discharged on 10 February 1919; sold together with copied research.



James William Milne was born at 2 Hillhead Terrace, Spital, Aberdeen in 1879, the son of James and Elizabeth Milne. He enlisted on 31 May 1916 with the Royal Engineers and served in France prior to being severally wounded and discharged on 3 October 1917.

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Sold for
£90

Starting price
£40