A fine ‘Old Contemptibles’ Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. Lee-Warner, Royal Artillery, who won early recognition for his gallantry as a Forward Observation Officer around Rue du Bois in May 1915: adding the M.C. to his accolades for further acts of bravery under intense fire in early 1916, he also collected no less than five wounds during the course of his wartime career - but ‘returned to duty each time’

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut. H. G. Lee-Warner, R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. H. G. Lee-Warner); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Malabar 1921-22 (Major H. G. Lee-Warner, R.A.), minor official corrections to the last, obverse centre a little recessed and enamel wreaths slightly chipped in places on the first, contact marks, otherwise generally very fine or better (6) £2400-2800

D.S.O. London Gazette 24 July 1915:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations near Rue du Bois, from 9-19 May 1915. Although wounded on the 9th, he remained in command of his battery till forced to give in on the 19th, and during this period he was indefatigable in reconnoitring and reporting on the situation. He was twice shelled out of his observation stations and did excellent work under heavy shellfire.’

M.C. London Gazette 27 July 1916:

‘For gallantry and devotion to duty during intense shellfire. Twice he accompanied his telephone-party to repair wires and his excellent example resulted in communications being maintained.’

Harry Granville Lee-Warner was born in India in January 1882, the son of John Lee-Warner of the Indian Civil Service, and was educated at Sherborne prior to entering the R.M.A. Woolwich. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery in July 1902, he served out in India in the period 1906-11, and was serving as a a Lieutenant in 9th Battery, R.F.A., 41st Brigade, on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914.

Landing in France a few days later, he was quickly in action with his battery, and gained advancement to Captain in October. Then in May 1915, as cited above, he won the the D.S.O. for his sustained gallantry as a Forward Observation Officer at Rue du Bois - a scarce honour for a recently promoted Captain: this, too, as verified by various sources, one of five separate occasions in which he was wounded.

Indeed Lee-Warner collected another wound shortly after returning to 9th Battery - on 9 July 1915 - and was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1916 refers). Advanced to Major in April of the latter year, he served as an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel and Commandant of a training establishment back in the U.K. in the period November 1916 to August 1917, following which he returned to active service in France as a Brigade Major in 8th Division. He was again mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 20 December 1918 refers).

Post-war, Lee-Warner served out in India 1919-23, onetime commanding 94th Battery, 18th Brigade, and was present in the Malabar operations (Medal & clasp). Back in the U.K. he held a further battery command and was advanced to substantive Lieutenant-Colonel in April 1931. Sadly, however, he died in August of the following year, while C.O. of 4th Light Brigade, R.A., at Deepcut; sold with research.