Auction Catalogue

25 & 26 March 2013

Starting at 12:00 PM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 1198

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26 March 2013

Hammer Price:
£2,100

A Great War ‘Battle of Cambrai’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain G. W. Vesey, 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, late North Irish Horse, who died of wounds, France, 26 March 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., N. Ir. H.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) good very fine and better (4) £1400-1800

M.C. London Gazette 4 March 1918; citation 16 August 1918. ‘Lt. George Waller Vesey, R. Ir. Fus.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led a patrol and rushed and captured an enemy machine gun which was in action in a trench running out from our lines and killed several of the crew. He then established a block in the trench and so improved the position. His initiative and resource were a splendid example to his men.’

George Waller Lendrum was born in Dublin on 5 August 1882, the second son of George C. Lendrum, D.L., of Corkil, Kilskeery, Co. Tyrone. He assumed his wife’s surname of ‘Vesey’ to enable him to inherit Derryband House, Fintona, Co. Tyrone. Vesey was commissioned into the North Irish Horse on 10 April 1915. With that unit he entered France on 18 November 1915, serving in the 33rd Division. He transferred to the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers in October 1917, being posted to ‘A’ Company. With them he was awarded the Military Cross for bravery and leadership in an action at Marcoing, during the battle of Cambrai, 15 December 1917. Vesey commanded ‘A’ Company from December 1917 until he was wounded on 24 March 1918 near Guiscard. He died of his wounds on 26 March 1918, aged 35 years and was buried in the Vignemont French Cemetery. His name is also commemorated at Kilskeery Parish Church, Co. Tyrone.

George Waller Vesey was the brother of Captain Marcus Beresford Lendrum, Royal Irish Fusiliers and Captain Alan Cane Lendrum, M.C. & Bar, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The latter was murdered by the I.R.A. in Co. Clare on 22 September 1920. With copied research and a copied photograph.