The Allan and Janet Woodliffe Collection of Medals Relating to the Reconquest and Pacification of the Sudan

Four: Major F. H. S. le Mesurier, Border Regiment, from the Channel Islands, who received a head wound at Gallipoli and two more wounds on the Western Front before being attached to the Egyptian Army

1914-15 Star (Capt., Bord. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); Khedive’s Sudan 1910-22, 1st issue, 1 clasp, Nyima 1817-18 (El Bimbashi Le Mesuurier, 4th Bn. Egyptian Army) impressed naming; together with a silver prize medal, 32mm., dia., inscribed, ‘Regimental Cross Country Run, 2nd Place Officers’; 1st Border Regt., Maymyo 1913’, very fine and better (5) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Allan and Janet Woodliffe Collection of Medals relating to the Reconquest and Pacification of The Sudan 1896-1956.

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The son of Colonel Andrew Alfred Le Mesurier C.B., he was born at Rhaniket, India on 29 April 1878 and his birth recorded at "New Infantry Barracks" Fulford Road, York Gate, Fulford, York, England some two years later. He was probably sent to live with relatives in the Channel Islands for his education, as he was enrolled at Victoria College, Jersey, in 1890, at the age of 12. He left the school in 1896 to enlist in the army, where he served in the ranks for 5 years 307 days, before being commissioned into the Border Regiment on 2 August 1902. Le Mesurier was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 April 1904. The regiment was posted to Gibraltar, then on to India, where they arrived on 23 October 1908, moving on to Maymyo, Burma in October 1912. Promoted Captain on 7 September 1914. The regiment returned to England, landing at Avonmouth, on 10 January 1915. Le Mesurier first saw action during the Great War on 25 April 1915, when he landed with his regiment on “X” beach at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the first day of the assault (87th Bde. 29th Division). The landing was only lightly opposed, although there was severe fighting to come. He left Gallipoli on 12 June with a head wound, and spent time recuperating on a hospital ship. He did not see active service next until he arrived in France with 1st Border Regiment on 1 February 1916 in time to take part in the Somme battles. He was made a temporary major on secondment to the Durham Light Infantry on 10 March 1916. He departed on 2 August – again probably wounded (he was wounded three times during WW1). He returned to the Border Regiment at the end of December 1916, retaining the rank of temporary major, and was promoted to Major on 18 January 1917. Le Mesurier was Mentioned in General Haig’s Despatches on 4 January 1917 for services with the armies in France. He did not see further active service until he joined the Egyptian Expeditionary Force on 18 November 1917, being attached to the Egyptian Army on 8 December, and struck off the E.E.F. books on 28 December. Le Mesurier was placed on half pay on account of ill health on 8 February 1921. It is possible that he was suffering from an illness contracted during his service in the Sudan, or the results of his three wounds. He returned to the Channel Islands as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Royal Guernsey (and Royal Alderney) Militia on 20 May 1921. He finally retired on 20 May 1925 at the age of 47. Presumably he left the Channel Islands shortly afterwards, as he was known to be living in Weymouth. Later he lived in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucester.

With a folder containing some copied research.