Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Captain E. P. Beaumont, 17th (‘Pals’) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, who died of wounds in France and Flanders on 2 April 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., in case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) good very fine or better (3) £600-800

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 9 January 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He visited his platoons under a heavy enemy barrage encouraging and cheering his men, and having led them as far as he could as they were suffering casualties, he dug in and consolidated a strong point. During the whole of this time he went around with complete disregard of machine-gun and rifle fire, greatly inspiring his men by his courage and high spirits, and by his fine leadership a very valuable piece of ground was taken.’

Captain Eric Paton Beaumont was born on 5 July 1895 and educated at Birkenhead Institute; Taunton School; and Pembroke College, Oxford. He volunteered for active service in 1914 and was at first rejected on account of his having defective eyesight, but was subsequently accepted and gazetted Second Lieutenant in the 17th Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant early in 1917, and Captain soon after. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from March 1916, and was wounded in the head by shrapnel whilst on night patrol on 30 June following, and invalided home. He rejoined his regiment in France on 25 December 1916.

Captain Beaumont was mortally wounded on 22 March 1918, when he was sent with ‘D’ Company, to the 2/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment at Holnon Wood, to make a counter-attack along part of the battle zone. The counter-attack was successful, but he suffered a very severe wound to the abdomen and two wounds in the legs. He was evacuated to No. 8 General Hospital at Rouen, but despite two emergency operations could not be saved, and he succumbed to his wounds there on 2 April 1918. The Officer Commanding the 17th Battalion wrote: “He was one of my best officers, and I feel his loss very much. His coolness and bravery in action were beyond all praise, and he was a born leader of men.” He is buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.