Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War M.C. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant Norman McCracken, Royal Sussex Regiment, late Royal Fusiliers

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (1805 Pte.,R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut.); Defence and War Medals, unnamed; Belgium, Order of Leopold II, Knight’s breast badge, silvered metal and enamel, silver palm on ribbon; Belgium, Croix de Guerre, ‘A’ cypher, good very fine (8) £850-950

M.C. London Gazette 18 July 1917. ‘Temp. 2nd Lt., R. Suss. R.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has performed valuable work when on patrol. He twice took out patrols under very heavy fire and came in contact with the enemy each time. He also organised the cutting of our own wire, which was carried out under heavy shell fire’.

Norman McCracken was born in Kilburn, London on 13 November 1881 and was educated at Highgate School. By occupation a Mercantile Clerk, he attested for service in the Royal Fusiliers at Westminster on 2 September 1914. Posted to the 18th Battalion, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 14 November 1915. He was posted to No.4 Officer Cadet Battalion in the U.K. on 20 May 1916 and on 25 September 1916 was discharged to a commission in the Royal Sussex Regiment. Returning to France McCracken won the Military Cross for his bravery in action. Serving with the 7th attached 3rd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment McCracken was wounded at Epehy on 21 September 1918 - suffering a gunshot wound to the left thigh. Sold with copied service papers, gazette extracts and m.i.c. The M.I.D. and Belgian decorations not confirmed.