Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914-15 Star, naming erased; British War Medal 1914-20 (2) (Lieut. F. J. Gunter. 5598 Pte. J. Jaige. 11-Hrs.) good very fine (3) £70-90

Francis James Gunter, the eldest son of Major-General James Gunter, 4th Dragoon Guards (who had been recommended for the Victoria Cross for his gallantry at Peking, 21 September 1860), was educated at Eton and Brasenose College, Oxford. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars in August 1914, he was attached to the 12th Reserve Cavalry Regiment for training; was promoted Lieutenant in September 1914; and served with the 11th Hussars during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 December 1914. ‘A brilliant horseman, who had no knowledge of what fear meant, he rode as he lived, his own line, quiet and straight.’ (Obituary in the XI Hussar Journal, January 1916 refers). He was killed in action in the bomb attack on “A” Squadron in the trenches at Hooge near Ypres on 24 May 1915- total casualties for the Squadron were 2 officers and 13 other ranks killed in action, 12 wounded, and 4 died of wounds. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium, as well as having a memorial in St. Stephen’s Church, Alwick, Yorkshire.

Sold together with a photographic image of the recipient and various copied research.