Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Second Lieutenant H. G. Byng, Border Regiment, late 28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles), who died of wounds on the Western Front on 18 May 1915

1914 Star (1547 Pte. H. Byng. 1/28 Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. H. G. Byng) good very fine and better (3) £200-£240

Harry Gustav Byng was born Harry Gustav Binswanger in Hampstead, Middlesex, on 13 July 1899, the third son of Gustav Binswanger (later Byng), Founder and First Chairman of The General Electric Company, and his wife Ida Laura Binswanger, née Rosenheim. Educated at Harrow and Harvard University, Massachusetts, he returned to England in 1913 to take up employment with his father's company.

Following the outbreak of the Great War Byng enlisted in the 28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles) in August 1914 and served with them on the Western Front from 26 October 1914. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, General List, on 20 March 1915 and was posted to 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment. He was mortally wounded during an attack south of Festubert on 16 May 1916, and died of his wounds two days later on 18 May 1915. He is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

His Company Commander wrote of his death: ‘Mr. Byng was wounded whilst most gallantly leading his Platoon in action on May 16th. He was universally popular in the Regiment. He had done very good work reconnoitring the enemy’s trenches, and his loss is very great to the Battalion.’

The Adjutant of his Battalion wrote: ‘He was shot whilst leading his men and fell actually on the enemy’s trenches. He lay quite uncomplaining, and would not allow any of his men to carry him back because of the danger to their lives.’

Sold with copied research including extracts from The Roll of Honour of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, which contains an extensive obituary.