The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment ‘Battalion Twenty’ Medal, bronze (Major C. H. Pank.), with bronze date bars for 1910, 1911, and 1923, and silver date bars for 1912 and 1922, one connecting ring on top clasp broken, otherwise very fine £60-£80

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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The ‘Battalion Twenty’ medal was instituted by Captain Leonard King in 1910 and was awarded to the members of the 7th Battalion who fired for the Middlesex Shield. The dated bars were awarded in bronze for each year in which the recipient took part, and in silver for those years in which the 7th Battalion were victorious.

C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1919:
‘For services rendered in connection with military operations in France and Flanders.’

D.S.O. London Gazette 4 February 1918, citation published 5 July 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The enemy in overwhelming numbers succeeded in forcing the blocks in our trenches and temporarily cut off communications with headquarters on the flank. He immediately organised a counter-attack, and so infused his men, disorganised by heavy losses, with fresh fighting spirit that he succeeded in re-establishing touch on the flank, and with the help of another unit driving back the enemy and re-forming the blocks. Though wounded he showed great personal courage, coolness, and resourceful determination, which contributed largely to the success of the counter-attack.’

Cecil Henry Pank was a long time Territorial Officer with the 7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, and commanded the 2nd/10th Battalion during the Great War, landing with them at Suvla Bay on 8 August 1915. Subsequently proceeding to the Western Front, for his services during the Great War he was created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his gallantry at Ypres on 30 November 1917. He commanded the 7th Battalion from 1919 to 1924.