Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain W. E. G. Leghorn, Rifle Brigade, formerly 10th (Scottish) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star (2381 Pte., 10/L’pool R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) extremely fine (4) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to the Liverpool Regiment from the Collection of Hal Giblin.

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M.C. London Gazette 18 October 1917 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Finding no trench communication on relief he immediately dug in and consolidated a line of shell holes. Later, when all the officers of two companies had become casualties and the outposts had been driven in, he organised a counter-attack by collecting men from different units, and held on until relieved 24 hours later. He set a splendid example to all.’

Captain William Eric George Leghorn was born on 3 August 1893, the second son of William Leghorn and Mrs Leghorn of Edge Lane, Liverpool. A clerk with Parr’s Bank in Liverpool, he volunteered for the Liverpool Scottish in 1912. Mobilised in August 1914, he accompanied the original contingent to France in the following November aboard the Maidan. The fact that he was wounded in the trenches on 5 May 1915 may well have saved his life, as it meant that he was not available for the Battle of Hooge in the following month, in which the battalion lost heavily. He transferred to England for officer training in November 1916, and was gazetted a Second Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade on 26 April 1917. He joined the 9th battalion of his new regiment in May 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in action at ‘Stirling Castle’ on the Menin Road on 24 August 1917. His brother, Corporal V. A. Leghorn also served with the Liverpool Scottish. Sold with copied pictures of both brothers.