Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Major F. Eggleton, Royal Field Artillery, late Driver Honourable Artillery Company, who was M.I.D. for operations on the Somme 1916, and in Arras 1917, before being killed in action on the Western Front, 21 October 1917

1914-15 Star (563 Dvr. F. Eggleton. H.A.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Major F. Eggleton); Memorial Plaque (Frank Eggleton) last surmounted into a white metal memorial cross, and all in velvet remainder of contemporary frame, with metal plaque inscribed ‘Major Frank Eggleton Royal Field Artillery. Honourable Artillery Company. Killed in Action. Oct. 21st 1917.’, good very fine or better (4) £600-800

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 May 1917:

‘Somme, 1916 - For continuous good work. Commanded a section of guns near Flers from 12th October till 27th November; constantly exposed to heavy shell fire, he kept his men cheerful and did excellent shooting.’ (29th Divisional Artillery, War Record and Honours Book 1915-1918 refers)

M.I.D. London Gazette 14 December 1917:

‘Arras and Flanders, 1917 - Commanded his battery throughout these operations with great ability; the high standard of efficiency maintained by the battery throughout these trying times is due to his energy and fine example.’ (Ibid)

Frank Eggleton was ‘the son of the late Mr H. D. Eggleton, of Hill Farm, Chinnor, and was born on Jan. 5 1886... He was educated at the Oxford County School, Thame, and on leaving school entered the office of Wheelers’ Wycombe Breweries in January, 1901.... He was one of a number of patriotic young men who responded promptly to the country’s call, joining up on Sept. 12 1914, as a private in the Hon. Artillery Company. He was offered a Commission in the Oxford and Bucks Regiment, but preferred at that time to remain in the ranks. After completing his training, he went with his Regiment in the spring of 1915 to Egypt, where he served for a year. He then accepted a commission in the R.F.A., and was sent to France. Here his soldierly qualities and aptitude for command found full scope, and rapid promotion followed, till at the time of his death he was commanding a Battery, with the rank of Major.’ (Memorial Booklet included in lot refers)

Eggleton was in command of 13th Battery, as part of the 17th Brigade R.F.A., when he was killed in action, 21 October 1917. Details of his death were given in letter written by a junior officer in Eggleton’s battery:

‘As I was quite close to your son, Major Eggleton when he was killed, at about 9.30am on the 21st, it is my duty to write to you and give you some information as to his death, and to express my sympathy for you in your great loss. Major Eggleton and I had been to the guns to attend an officer of another Battery who had been wounded. On his way back to the mess, whilst waiting for the stretcher to pass him, he was hit by a piece of shell, which entered his spine, and he became unconscious immediately, and died in a few minutes. His body was carried down to the wagon line on a stretcher, and buried the next afternoon in the presence of an officer of the Battery and the Staff Captain of the Division. The Church of England Padre officiated. The team which drew the carriage was driven by Sergeants, at their request, and everyone in the Battery regrets that they could not be present (owing to the Battery being in action) to pay their last respects to their Battery Commander, who was so loved and respected by all.’ (Ibid)

Major Eggleton is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, West Vlandeeren, Belgium.

Sold with a contemporary Memorial Booklet to the recipient, complete with photograph of his in uniform, and copied research.