Auction Catalogue

12 May 2015

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

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Lot

№ 400

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12 May 2015

Hammer Price:
£3,600

A rare Great War M.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. Elliott, Royal Irish Regiment, who was taken P.O.W. in the retreat from Mons in August 1914: he was subsequently decorated in accordance with Army Order 193 of 1919

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (Lieut. G. A. Elliot, 1/Rl. Irish Rgt.); King’s South Africa, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. G. A. Elliott, Rl. Irish Rgt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt. G. A. Elliot, R. Ir. Regt.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major G. A. Elliot); Delhi Durbar 1911, privately engraved, ‘Capt. G. A. Elliot, Royal Irish Regt.’, mounted as worn, rank officially corrected on the British War Medal, contact marks, very fine and better (7) £1800-2200

M.C. London Gazette 30 January 1920:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field, which have been brought to notice in accordance with the terms of
Army Order 193 of 1919.’

George Augustus Elliot was born in March 1876 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Regiment in March 1896. He subsequently witnessed active service in the Boer War, including the actions at Colesberg in early 1900 (Queen’s Medal and 3 clasps; King’s Medal and 2 clasps).

Having then served in India and been advanced to Captain in the 2nd Battalion, he was given command of ‘D’ Company and disembarked at Boulogne on 14 August 1914. A week or two later, on the 26th, during the retreat from Mons, he and part of his Company - having failed to receive an order to retire - were surrounded and captured at Audencourt. It is possible his subsequent award of the M.C. reflected his gallantry on that occasion, but it is more likely - in accordance with
Army Order 193 of 1919 - an award in respect of gallant acts while being held as a P.O.W.; possibly, in fact, for attempting to escape.

Advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel about the time of his repatriation from Holland at the War’s end, Elliot proceeded with the 2nd Battalion to India, where he remained employed until April 1922. The regiment having been disbanded on its return to the U.K., he was placed on the Retired List in May 1923.

He died in Chelsea, London in April 1950, aged 74 years; sold with copied research.