Auction Catalogue

6 & 7 December 2017

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 31 x

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6 December 2017

Hammer Price:
£800

A Great War 1917 ‘Mesopotamian Campaign’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain F. O. Harris, 92nd Punjabis, Indian Army

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse privately engraved ‘2nd. Lt. F. O. Harris. 92 Punjabis 2.2.17’; 1914-15 Star (2/Lieut. F. O. Harris. I.A.R.O., Attd. 1/30/Punjabis.’; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. F. O. Harris.) mounted as worn, very fine (4) £1000-1400

M.C. London Gazette 17 March 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rallied the men of several units under very heavy fire and materially assisted in repelling an enemy counter attack. He set a fine example to all ranks.’

Frank Oswald Harris was born in Southampton in 1892 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers on 2 August 1915, having previously served as a Gunner in the 3rd Hampshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Attached initially to the 1/30th Punjabis, he transferred to the 92nd Punjabis, and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry on 2 February 1917, during Maude’s offensive in Mesopotamia between 11 January and 24 February 1917.

Harris subsequently distinguished himself on 22nd February 1917, during the assault on the Sannaiyat Position, as recorded in the 92nd Punjabis War Diary:
‘Lieutenant Newbury in command of 3rd wave was killed crossing no man's land - Captain Reilly, 69th Punjabis, attached 92nd Punjabis, and Lieutenant Meade were killed by shell fire on entering enemy's second line. Lieutenant Christopher was killed shortly after enemy's line. Between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. the enemy made 3 counter-attacks ... the third of which was momentarily successful. Men were however quickly rallied by Lieutenant F. O. Harris, under the supervision of Colonel MacLachlan, and speedily regained their positions.’
Total casualties were 8 Officers and 29 other ranks killed, and 7 Officers and 171 other ranks wounded.

During the Second World War Harris served as a Captain in the Royal Artillery, and died on 15 September 1944. He is buried under a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone in Southampton (Hollybrook) Cemetery.