Orders, Decorations and Medals

An Anglo-Irish War military M.B.E. group of three awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 Harry Benton, 1st Battalion Essex Regiment for repulsing an ambush near Newcestown Cross, Co. Cork, 10 October 1920

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (8920 Sjt., 9/Essex R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5999002 W.O. Cl. 2, Essex R.) some contact marks, good very fine (3) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A small collection relating to the Easter Rebellion 1916 and the Anglo-Irish War 1919-22.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 18 February 1921. ‘... in recognition of gallant conduct in the performance of military duties.’ ‘No. 5999002 C.S.M. Harry Benton, Essex R.’

M.S.M. London Gazette 18 October 1916. ‘... in recognition of valuable services rendered during the present war.’ ‘8920 Sjt. (A./C.Q.M.S.) H. Benton, Essex R.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1919 (Haig).

Sergeant (Acting Colour Sergeant) Harry Benton, 9th Battalion Essex Regiment entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 30 May 1915. For his wartime services he was mentioned in Haig’s despatch of 30 April 1916 and was later awarded the M.S.M. His m.i.c. records that he was discharged on 15 January 1919 having attained the rank of Company Sergeant-Major.

He then re-enlisted into the Essex Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion in Ireland. On 10 October 1920 men from the Cork No. 3 Brigade I.R.A., commanded by Sean Hales, O.C. Bandon Battalion, ambushed Major Percival along with two officers and twelve men of the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment who were travelling in two Crossley lorries near Newcestown Cross, Co. Cork. The patrol had completed a search of the local public house - a suspected I.R.A. haunt and had just set off towards Castletown where other searches were planned. The lorries had travelled no more than 400 yards when they came under attack. Three men were wounded by a bomb thrown into the leading vehicle but the remainder sprang out into the road and drove off the I.R.A., the action being fought in pitch darkness. Two officers (Lieut. R. D. F. Robertson and Lieut. Richardson) were killed and four other ranks were wounded in the action. For their services Major Percival was awarded the O.B.E., C.S.M. Benton the M.B.E., and Private Wooton was awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire. These were amongst the first awards to be gazetted for the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-22. In pressing for the recognition of bravery in the war, Secretary of State Winston Churchill stated, ‘Why because they are shot down by Irish rebels and not by Mesopotamian rebels, should they be excluded from consideration.’

With copied gazette extract, m.i.c., photocopied photograph, details of the Newcestown ambush and details of the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment’s service in Ireland 1919-22 - the regiment suffered more casualties than any other British regular army unit in the conflict.