Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain H. H. Keay, 23rd Battalion London Regiment, attached East Lancashire Regiment, late 16th Battalion London Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘Captain H. H. Keay, 23rd Bn. London Regt. (attached East Lancs). La Bassée 10th June 1917’, in case of issue; 1914-15 Star (2559 Pte., 16-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); together with a dress miniature of the Military Cross, extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 16 August 1917. ‘2nd Lt. (A./Capt.) Lond. R., attd. E. Lan. R.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led a raid into the enemy’s lines, which was most successful, owing to the careful training and confidence with which he had instilled his men, and the courage and initiative with which his work was carried out. After the withdrawal he rescued a wounded man, under heavy shell fire, from No Man’s Land.’

Private Hugh Hamilton Keay, 16th Battalion London Regiment entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 24 January 1915. Having attained the rank of Lance-Corporal in the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 23rd Battalion London Regiment on 6 December 1915. As a 2nd Lieutenant attached to the East Lancashire Regiment he was awarded the M.C. for his bravery and leadership in action at La Bassée on 10 June 1917. Later attained the rank of Captain. On 1 May 1940 he was appointed a Lieutenant in the Queen’s Regiment. With copied gazette extracts and m.i.c.