Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Bar group of four awarded to Major E. G. Barrell, Machine Gun Corps, late Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Major) good very fine and better (4) £1800-2200

M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918. ‘T/Lt. (A./Capt.) attd. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I. and M.G. Corps.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918. ‘T./Lt. (A./Capt.), M.C., M.G. Corps’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. Under heavy fire he continually made personal reconnaissances to get in touch with the situation. He sent back most valuable information at a time when most of the signal wires were cut. He did splendid service.’

Ernest Gibbons Barrell was born on 5 October 1894. He attested for the 4th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 1 September 1914. As a Private in the 1/4th Battalion he was discharged to a commission in the regiment on 19 March 1915. Later with the Machine Gun Corps he was awarded the M.C. and Bar and was appointed Acting Captain in November 1917 and Acting Major in May 1918. He was wounded at Amiens on 26 June 1918 by an enemy bomb dropped by an aircraft - causing a fractured rib, penetration of the right lung, contusion to the kidneys and spinal concussion. He was subsequently awarded the Silver War Badge. Major Barrell died in Whitney, Oxfordshire on 15 February 1922 as a result of his wounds and bacterial endocarditis. With a quantity of copied service papers and other research.