Family Group:

A rare ‘Crowned Head’ M.S.M. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant G. T. Gascoyne, Northamptonshire Regiment, late Regimental Sergeant-Major, King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (2380 C. Sgt. T. Gascoyne, K.R.R.C.) suspension claw reaffixed; 1914-15 Star (R-222 S. Mjr. T. Gascoyne, K.R.Rif.C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (R-222 W.O. Cl. I. T. Gascoyne. K.R.R.); Victory Medal 1914-19, erased; Delhi Durbar 1903, silver (2380 C/ Sgt. G. T. Gascoyne. 2nd K.R.Rif) engraved naming, lacking integral riband buckle; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2380 Clr:-Serjt: T. Gascoyne. K.R.R.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd ‘crowned head’ issue (Col. Sjt. T. Gascoyne. K.R.R.C.) edge bruising and contact marks, generally nearly very fine or better, the last rare

British War Medal 1914-20 (775 Wkr. P. M. Gascoyne Q.M.A.A.C.) good very fine (8) £1,000-£1,400

Only 55 George VI ‘Crowned Head’ M.S.M.s. are believed to have been awarded, all being notified in Army Orders 44 of March and 106 of June, 1942.

George Thomas Gascoyne was born in Lambeth, Surrey and using his second Christian name ‘Thomas’ attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Winchester on 15 September 1884, aged 18 years. He was promoted Corporal in February 1889, Sergeant in September 1891 and Colour Sergeant in May 1898, serving in the latter rank with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 11 September 1899 until 21 July 1900 (medal and 3 clasps). Proceeding to India in January 1903, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with gratuity under Army Order 10 the same month and, in his capacity as the senior non-commissioned officer, he was one of eight 2nd King’s Royal Rifle Corps Recipients of the 1903 Delhi Durbar Medal. In 1905 he elected to extend his army service beyond 21 years and the same year was recommended for the M.S.M. and posted Sergeant Instructor of the 2nd (South) Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps, transferring in 1908 to the Permanent Staff, 10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment from which he was discharged to a pension on 8 February 1914.

Gascoyne served during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 July 1915 as Regimental Sergeant-Major with the 11th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps and was discharged to a commission with the Northamptonshire Regiment on 10 November 1915. He was awarded a Silver War Badge as a Lieutenant in the Northamptonshire Regiment.

Phyllis Maud Gascoyne, eldest child of the above, was born in Malta on 21 October 1896. She enlisted in Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps on 14 May 1917 and served as a Worker on the Western Front from 1 June 1917 until 9 August 1917. She was discharged on medical grounds on 20 January 1918 and was awarded a Silver War Badge.

Sold together with a silver match box engraved ‘H. Gozzett to C/Sgt. Gascoyne. 1902.’