Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Great War M.C. and Bar group of eight awarded to Captain E. Fairhurst, Lancashire Fusiliers, a Gallipoli veteran who was decorated for his gallant work during the German Spring Offensive and in the Battle of Serre River in October 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, with Second Award Bar; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. E. Fairhurst, Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Capt. E. Fairhurst); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (8) £1600-1800

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His grip of the situation and example of courage and leadership contributed greatly to the success of the operations. His behaviour throughout under trying conditions was worthy of the highest praise.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919:

‘During a night attack on 23 October 1918, near Vertigneul, he showed great courage and devotion to duty in obtaining information of the greatest importance. At a time when communication could not be maintained he fearlessly pushed forward from Battalion H.Q. to ascertain the dispositions of the Battalion. He not only accurately ascertained that his Battalion was on its final objective, but was also able to report the position of the battalion on the right. He rendered very valuable service.’

Edward Fairhurst, who was born in Oldham, Lancashire in August 1894, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers in February 1915. Joining the 1/8th Battalion out in Gallipoli in early October, he remained actively employed in that theatre of war until being evacuated from the Peninsula at the end of December, thereby sharing in the Battalion’s actions at Gully Ravine, Geogheghan’s Bluff and elsewhere. And he subsequently witnessed further action with the Egypt Expeditionary Force in the period March 1916 to February 1917, gaining appointment as Adjutant and a mention in despatches for his work in the Sinai Desert (London Gazette 6 July 1917 refers).

But it was for his gallantry in France and Flanders that he was twice decorated, in which theatre of war he served from March 1917 until the War’s end. Thus his first M.C. for his courage and leadership at Sapignies on 25 March 1918, when the 125th Infantry Brigade faced the onslaught of German Spring Offensive - the History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-18 refers to Fairhurst’s part in the action, rounding up stragglers and leading ‘a dashing counter-attack which drove back the German troops and established a position in a trench in front of a copse east of Sapignies.’ So, too, to events surrounding the award of his second M.C., namely what became known as the “Battle of the River Selle” in October 1918 - such were the achievements of the 125th Infantry Brigade on that occasion that one historian likened ‘the laurels gained there worthy of a place beside those won at Minden.’

Of his subsequent activities in the 1939-45 War, Brigadier G. W. Sutton, C.B.E., D.S.O., T.D., wrote in the Gallipoli Gazette on Fairhurst’s death in April 1967:

‘In 1940, “Fairy” joined the Home Guard but managed to get back in the Army in June 1941. He went overseas soon after D-Day with Civil Affairs and was up in the Ardennes fighting until they discovered he was over 50, when he was sent back and became Adjutant of the 59th Surrey Home Guard.’

Sold with the recipient’s original M.I.D. certificate and 42nd Divisional citation card for the award of his M.C., together with a file of research, the latter including a copied feature with picture of Fairhurst and Sergeant Alfred Richards, V.C., the latter a Gallipoli campaign V.C. and fellow Lancashire Fusilier.