Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An exceptional Great War M.B.E., M.C., D.C.M. and M.S.M. group of eight awarded to Regimental Sergeant-Major Frank Hedges, 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, and Royal Tank Corps

The Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) 1st type; Military Cross, G.V.R.; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (29 C.Q.M. Sjt., 1/Rif. Bde.); 1914 Star (29 C.Q.M. Sjt., 1/Rif. Brig.) also entitled to clasp; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (29 T.W.O. Cl.1, Rif. Brig.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (7868680 W.O. Cl.1, Tank Corps); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (305259 R.S. Mjr., M.C., D.C.M., 16/Tank C.) contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine and rare (8) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Rifle Brigade and Affiliated Regiments from the collection formed by Michael Haines.

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See Colour Plate II.

M.I.D. London Gazette 9 December 1914 (Sir John French’s Despatch, dated 8th October 1914).

D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1915: ‘For acts of gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force.’ Details London Gazette 1 April 1915: ‘Company Quarter-Master-Sergeant F. Hedges, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade. For the gallantry he displayed in the engagement at Ligny.’ The action at Ligny was fought on 26 August 1914.

M.C. London Gazette 27 July 1916; details London Gazette 19 August 1916: ‘Company Sergeant-Major, Rifle Brigade. For conspicuous gallantry on several occasions, notably when he reorganised defences and observed the enemy after his trench had been blown in, and when, on another occasion, he took command after all his officers had become casualties, and skilfully consolidated his position.’

M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders. Regimental Sergeant-Major, M.C., D.C.M., 16th Bn. Tank Corps (Southend-on-Sea).’

M.B.E. London Gazette 3 July 1926: ‘Warrant Officer, Class 1, Regimental Sergeant-Major, M.C., D.C.M., 2nd Battalion Royal Tank Corps.’