A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Captain R. P. Fenn, 2nd/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) nearly extremely fine (3) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Hampshire Regiment.

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M.C. London Gazette 7 November 1918. ‘2nd Lt., Hampshire R.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and fine leadership. He led his company forward under intense enemy fire until it was impossible to advance any further. He then proceeded to consolidate his position with much skill, though continuously exposed to fire at close range. His coolness and disregard of danger were a splendid example to his men’.

Richard Playford Fenn was born in Eastbourne, Sussex on 17 November 1880. He was educated at Tonbridge School and The Royal Naval School and gained a B.A. at Jesus College, Oxford in 1904. As a Schoolmaster living at ‘The School’, Summersdale, Chichester, he attested for service with the Army Reserve on 25 November 1915, aged 35 years. After service with the 16th (Reserve) Battalion London Regiment, he was appointed to a commission in the 9th Reserve Battalion Hampshire Regiment on 25 April 1917. He entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 1 June 1918 serving with the 2/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment and won the M.C. for his gallantry in the operations in the Adre Valley in July. Laterly appointed Captain and Adjutant, he relinquished his rank on 20 April 1919. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers and other research.