A most unusual Great War ‘Gallipoli’ M.C. group of eight awarded to Captain H. L. Norman, East Lancashire Regiment, late Royal Engineers

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘Capt. H. L. Norman, East Lancs., won in Gallipoli, 1915’; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (20270 2nd Corpl. H. L. Norman, R.E.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. H. L. Norman, E. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. H. L. Norman); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (20270 F. of W. Q.M.S. H. L. Norman, R.E.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (20270 W.O. Cl. 2. H. L. Norman, R.E.) official correction to surname; Khedive’s Star, undated, the Egypt medal nearly very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine and a very rare combination of medals (8) £2000-2500

M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1916: ‘Manchester Regiment (Service Battalions). Temp. Capt. H. L. Norman, East Lanc. R., Spec. Res.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 6 March 1916 (General Sir Charles Munro’s despatch).

Herbert Luxton Norman was born at Hatherleigh, Devon, and enlisted for the Royal Engineers on 7 September 1885, aged 19 years 2 months, having served previously with the 4th Devon Volunteer Rifles. He served on the Egyptian Frontier in 1888 and in operations on the Nile in 1889 (Medal and Bronze Star). After a period at Home, he served in Hong Kong from August 1898 until December 1902, by which time he had been promoted to Quarter-Master Sergeant Foreman of Works. The remainder of his service was spent at Home until his discharge at Fermoy on 6 September 1906. His L.S. & G.C. medal with Gratuity was announced in Army Order 67 of 1907.

On the outbreak of war Norman was appointed Lieutenant & Quarter-Master in the 10th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment and was promoted to Captain on 1 December 1914. Attached to the Manchester Regiment, he entered the Gallipoli theatre of war in May 1915. With them he probably fought in the battles before Achi Baba and in the Third Battle of Krithia. In the latter, Lieutenant Foreshaw, 1/9th Manchester Regiment, won the Victoria Cross. For his bravery in the campaign, Norman was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross.

Due to his age Norman was selected for transfer for garrison battalion, a move that he resisted by requesting a transfer to another unit, as evidenced in a report from his Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General V. Ormsby, who wrote:

“I believe that Captain Norman habitually displayed great gallantry and good leadership in Gallipoli. His commanding officer is not however satisfied as to his general knowledge and capacity for the command of a company in open warfare. After interviewing Col. Morrogh and Captain Norman, and in view of the latter’s wish for transfer to another battalion, I recommend that this course be adopted. I know Captain Norman to be most painstaking and conscientious. Though nearly 49, he is tougher than many a much younger officer, and is very averse to performing garrison duties.”

In 1918 he is recorded as being a Captain in the East Lancashire Regiment and a Musketry Instructor.

Sold with a sepia photograph of the recipient in civilian clothes before the war; a pencil sketch of the recipient, inscribed, ‘Captain Norman, Esk Line Trenches, Gallipoli, in front of Achi Baba, 23.7.15 (signed) Eric English’; original M.I.D. Certificate,mounted on card with partial loss of initials, ‘Manchester Regt. [T.F.] T/Capt., E. Lan. R., S.R.’; copied m.i.c. and other research.