A Great War 1918 ‘Hindenburg Line’ M.C. group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant J. F. Blakey, Durham Light Infantry

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Sec. Lieut. J. F. Blakey. 9th. D.L.I. Hindenburg Line. Sept. 12th. 1918’; 1914-15 Star (2242 Sjt. J. F. Blakey. Durh: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals 2. Lieut. J. F. Blakey.); Defence Medal, very fine (5) £700-900

M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919:
‘For gallant conduct during operations at Havrincourt between 12th and 15th September 1918. He led his men in the attack over most difficult country and in the face of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. Subsequently he did some very useful reconnaissance work and succeeded in gaining touch with a flanking division at a critical time.’

James Fraser Blakey attested for the Durham Light Infantry and served as a Sergeant during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 April 1915. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Durham Light Infantry, from an Officer Cadet Unit on 30 May 1917, and subsequently served with the 9th Battalion on the Western Front, being awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during operation at Havrincourt in September 1918.

Sold with a copy of the Battalion War Diary for the period of Blakey’s M.C. exploits.