Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain G.G. H. Irving, Rifle Brigade, late London Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914 Star, with clasp (1646 Pte., 1/28 Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.), the medals in a metal glass-fronted case bearing a badge of the Rifle Brigade, inscribed, ‘Captain G. G. H. Irving, Rifle Brigade, 1914-1918’, medals nearly extremely fine (4) £1400-1800

M.C. London Gazette 7 November 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He made a personal reconnaissance under heavy machine-gun fire and returned with information of great importance. During five days of operations he was untiring in his efforts to arrange food, water, and ammunition supplies, and by his masterly grip of the situation rendered invaluable services.’

George Guy Hammond Irving was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire in 1895. A Medical Student and a former member of Christ’s Hospital O.T.C., 1913-14, he attested for the London Regiment on 14 August 1914, aged 19 years, 5 months. With the 28th Battalion London Regiment he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 26 October 1914 and remained there until the Summer of 1915. In September 1915 he was discharged to a commission in the 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade. Returning to the Western Front he went on to win the M.C. for bravery during the operations around Aubigny in early April 1918. Captain Irving sadly died a year after leaving the service in January 1921. With copied m.i.c., gazette extract, service papers and other research.