A Great War M.C. and Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Captain F. A. Morrell, East Kent Regiment, late Straits Settlements Volunteer Force

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse inscribed ‘Capt. F. A. Morrell Presented by H.M. The King at Buckingham Palace’, with Second Award Bar; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. F. A. Morrell.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, G.V.R. (Captain F. A. Morrell, M.C., S.S.V.F.) good very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Alan Cathery Collection of Medals to The Buffs, the East Kent Regiment.

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M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 16 September 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy had penetrated between our defences, he organised and carried out with his company two counter attacks, driving them back. Two days afterwards, seeing that the flank of the Battalion on his right was exposed, he immediately counter attacked and improved the situation, being severely wounded during the operation.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 December 1917.

Frederick Alexander Morrell served as a Lance-Corporal in the Malay Straits Volunteer Rifles at Singapore 1914-15 (ineligible for Star). He served in France as a Captain in the East Kent Regiment from 12 April 1916.

The Regimental History refers to him “taking post in the front line” at Bully Grenay, 3 miles west of Loos, amongst the coal mines, on 27 March 1917. On 28th July the Battalion was heavily engaged in the Battle of Pilkem Ridge, a carefully planned attack to gain the high ground to the east of Ypres.

On 2nd August, with the attack continuing, when relieved by another Bn. and withdrawing in the dark, over very heavy and unknown ground “Captain Morrell was slightly wounded”. After further heavy fighting and due to the inability to provide replacements for the considerable casualties, on 21 January 1918 the Battalion was disbanded. He then joined the 7th Battalion, only 550 strong, many of them from the 8th Battalion, on the eve of the Great German Offensive on the night of 21 March, at Vendeuil, south of St Quentin.

At 0445 hours intense hostile shelling began and at first many of the shells were gas-laden. Thick fog led to the defences being penetrated, but the Fort and Clarence Keep held. The history states “D Company under Captain Morrell... made a fine counter attack and drove the Germans back at a critical time.”

On the 22nd at 0110 hours, a general withdrawal was ordered to positions west of the St Quentin Canal. The Buffs reformed in a wood just south of Rouez. There was confused fighting, where nothing beyond 50 yards could be observed. “Both Capt. Morrell and 2nd Lieut. Halliday were badly wounded. Both were very gallant officers and a great loss at such a time.” Captain Morrell was awarded a Bar to his M.C. for this action.