A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant W. Crampton, Royal Field Artillery, who died on 17 February 1919

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. W. Crampton); Memorial Plaque ‘William Crampton’, extensive glue residue to reverse of plaque, very fine and better (4) £600-£800

M.C. London Gazette 18 September 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Where his battery was firing with open sights on the advancing infantry he took charge of the gun, which was under most intense machine-gun fire, and took his place in the detachment until the enemy fire had abated. Subsequently, he sent back valuable information from the front line during enemy attacks. He set a most excellent example to all under him.’

William Crampton was born in Barnsley in 1893, the eldest son of James and Mary Ann Crampton of 77, King Edward Road, Thorne, Yorkshire. A mercantile clerk by profession, he witnessed initial service at home with the 2/1st Yorkshire Dragoons before being appointed to a commission in the Royal Regiment of Artillery on 10 June 1917. Posted to France as Second Lieutenant, he died whilst serving with “A” Battery, 94th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery in the Pas-de-Calais, France.