Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Serjeant G. B. Mitchell, Leicestershire Regiment and Royal Fusiliers and a member of Military Intelligence involved in post-war operations in Spain

British War and Victory Medal (12709 Sjt. G. B. Mitchell, Leics. R.) re-impressed naming, good very fine; with a rare set of papers (2) £150-200

Lance-Corporal George Balderson Mitchell came from Wilford, Nottinghamshire. As a Lance-Corporal in the Leicestershire Regiment he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 30 July 1915 and was subsequently awarded the 1914-15 Star trio of medals. As a Sergeant with the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, he served as a member of the Special Intelligence Police of the Fourth Army. As a Lance-Corporal in the Royal Fusiliers he was awarded the French Medal of Honour, 2nd Class in Silver with swords (London Gazette 29 January 1919). His ‘last’ rank and unit on the m.i.c. is given as Acting Company Sergeant Major with the Royal Fusiliers. After the war, still working for military intelligence, he was employed in Spain - possibly in operations to track down military deserters, many of whom ended up in that neutral country.

With a number of original papers: Special Pass - bearing his photograph, ‘The Bearer No. 12709 Sergt. G. B. Mitchell of 8yj Leicesters is a member of the Special Intelligence Police of Fourth Army. He is authorised to move by night or day, and by any means of locomotion, in any part of the Fourth Army area. A.P.M.s and Military Police will assist him in any way they can’, signed by the Provost Marshal, dated 25 June 1916. A note on the bottom of the document states, ‘These passes are Signed every fortnight by the Contre-Espionage Officer.’; a French Pass permitting him to circulate freely, making enquiries and examining papers, during all hours, in both military and civilian dress, in the City of Amiens, dated 16 June 1916; a War Office letter re obtaining a passport for Spain, dated 11 March 1919 - ‘I shall be glad if you will let him have the passport as soon as possible. We are anxious to help him, as he may be very useful to us in Spain.’, this signed by a Major in M.I. 1c (Secret Service); a document from the Governor General of the Province of Barcelona - bearing Mitchell’s photograph, dated 1921; and Mitchells passport, valid for 5 years, dated 1 April 1913. With copied m.i.c. and gazette extract.