Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and French Croix de Guerre group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant E. H. Freer, Royal Engineers

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘2nd Lt. E. H. Freer. R.E.’; 1914-15 Star (16383 Pte. E. H. Freer. Leic: R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. E. H. Freer.) officially re-impressed naming; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, named on the edges of the cross ‘Lt. E. H. Freer R.E.’, mounted for wear, good very fine (5) £600-£800

M.C. London Gazette 4 February 1918; citation London Gazette 5 July 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as brigade signalling officer during three days operations. He established cable communications very speedily between old and new brigade headquarters, a distance of 3,000 yards, though the enemy was still holding out close by. He showed great initiative and resource.’

French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 7 October 1919: ‘Temp. Lieut., R.E.’

Ernest Howard Freer served in France from 8 April 1915, as a Private in the Leicestershire Regiment. He was discharged to a commission as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, on 1 November 1916.