Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to include a Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals

A Great War ‘V.C. action’ M.M. awarded to 2nd Lieutenant G. F. Cowling, Royal Berkshire Regiment, late 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in which latter unit he was decorated for his gallantry at the capture of the Thiepval on 28 September 1916 - one of his officers, 2nd Lieutenant T. E. Adlam won the V.C. on the same occasion

Military Medal, G.V.R. (12735 A. Sjt. G. F. Cowling, 7/Bedf. R.), extremely fine £500-600

M.M. London Gazette 21 December 1916.

George F. Cowling, a native of Bournemouth, first went to France in early August 1915, as a Lance-Corporal in the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. However, he was an Acting Sergeant by the time of his M.M.-winning exploits at Thiepval, most probably on account of the heavy casualties suffered by the Battalion in its assault on Pommiers Redoubt on the First Day of the Somme.

At Thiepval on 28 September 1916, the Battalion captured the north-western corner of the village and was engaged in fierce hand-to-hand fighting at Schwaben Redoubt, the latter stronghold falling to the Bedfordshires on the following day. Cowling’s own gallant deeds aside, 2nd Lieutenant T. E. Adlam won the V.C. for his gallant exploits as the unit advanced using bomb and bayonet. He was twice wounded.

Cowling, who was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Berkshire Regiment in October 1917, was invalided from the Army in October 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge.

Sold with the recipient’s original commendation card, signed by Major-General F. Maxse, C.O. 18th Division, citing his bravery at the capture of Thiepval on 28 September 1916; his commission warrant for the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, dated 21 October 1917 and ‘Honourably Discharged’ scroll, dated 21 October 1919, together with Great War period photographs (15), including the recipient in uniform.