Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. and Bar group of seven awarded to Lieutenant W. Gresty, Manchester Regiment, afterwards Auxiliary Air Force

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse privately engraved, ‘Lieut. W. Gresty, 7th Batt. the Manchester Regt., Havrincourt, La Signy Farm’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. Gresty); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Sqn. Ldr. W. Gresty, A.A.F.), mounted as worn, generally very fine or better (7) £1600-1800

M.C. London Gazette 15 October 1918. The original 42nd Division recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and leadership in the attack on and capture of the enemy system of trenches north of La Signy Farm, on the night of 20-21 July 1918. This officer gallantly led the attack, and its complete success was largely due to his fine leadership and initiative.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919. The original 42nd Division recommendation states:

‘For most conspicuous gallantry and leadership during the operations S.E. of Havrincourt on 27 September 1918, when in command of a company. He led his men with the utmost gallantry and skill, advancing in command of his company to a depth of 3,000 yards under extremely heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, and capturing his objective at the head of only 40 men. During the greater part of his advance he was engaged by enemy machine-guns, not only from the front, but from his right flank and right rear. He displayed throughout leadership and initiative of the highest order.’

Walter Gresty, who was from Pendleton, Manchester, first entered the Egypt theatre of war in January 1916, as a Lieutenant in the 1/7th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, but was awarded his M.C. and bar for subsequent acts of gallantry in France in the summer of 1918.

Subsequently joining the Auxiliary Air Force, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 924 (East Lancashire) (Balloon) Squadron, A.A.F., in February 1939. Advanced to Flight Lieutenant before the year’s end, he presumably saw active service with the B.E.F. in 1940 and, having then gained advancement to Squadron Leader, was awarded the Air Efficiency Award in March 1947.

Sold with original 42nd Division citations for his M.C. and Bar, signed by the Major-General Commanding and as cited above.