Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. Barnett, Royal Highlanders, for his gallantry in action near Rolleghem Cappelle, Belgium on 14 October 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. A. Barnett.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, these similarly mounted and housed in a Spink, London, leather case, traces of lacquer, very fine and better (9) £1000-1400

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919:
‘For gallantry and tireless devotion to duty as transport officer during operations in Flanders from 28th September to 26th October 1918. On 14th October, near Rolleghem Cappelle, his convoy, whilst on the move, was shelled by the enemy and casualties were caused. He showed great coolness in getting the vehicles and horses off the road and under cover. Throughout these operations his work was excellent.’

George Alexander Barnett was born in Halton, Northumberland on 5 May 1898, the son of Captain Edward Barnett, Northumberland Hussars, and was educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) in 1916, he served at home between August 1916 and May 1917, before joining the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front on 19 May 1917. From November 1917 to January 1918 he served as acting Adjutant of the 8th Battalion. For his gallantry during the final two months of the Great War, and especially for his action near Rolleghem Cappelle, Belgium, on 14 October 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross.

Remaining in the Army post-War, he was seconded for service on the Staff in 1933 and served as Aide-de-Camp to the General Officer Commanding, Scottish Command. During the Second World War he was a War Substantive Major with the Black Watch, before relinquishing his commission in 1947, receiving the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.