Orders, Decorations and Medals

A North West Europe M.C. group of five awarded to Major Sir J. E. Backhouse, 179 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, who died of his wounds in August 1944

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, the last four privately inscribed (Capt. (Temp. Maj.) Sir J. E. Backhouse, Bart., Royal Artillery) together with named condolence slip, Buckingham Palace condolence latter, and copy citation with envelope addressed to Lady Backhouse, extremely fine (5) £800-1000

M.C. London Gazette 19 October 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’ The citation reads: ‘When his C.O. was wounded early in the operations, he assumed command of his Regt and handled it with great skill and untiring energy. In particular, the success of operations at Mouen of 29 June was in large measure due to the Arty support organized by him at very short notice and under most exacting conditions. He has shown a complete disregard for his personal safety throughout the operations and when eventually wounded continued at duty until ordered by his Bde Comd to withdraw.’

John Edmund Backhouse was born on 30 April 1909, son of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Backhouse, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., C.M.G. He was educated at Harrow and R.M.A. Woolwich, and joined the Royal Artillery in as 2nd Lieutenant in 1923; Lieutenant 1932; Captain 1938; Temp. Major 1939. He succeeded his uncle as 3rd Baronet in January 1944.

Sir John Backhouse served with the 179th Field Regiment in North West Europe in 1944. He was wounded on 11 July 1944 at Fontaine Etoupefour and, although he returned to his unit on 17 July, he died of his wounds on 29 August 1944. He is buried in St Desir War Cemetery, Calvados, France.