Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain G. V. Kershaw, 1/6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, later Cheshire Yeomanry, for his gallantry at Hebuterne in July 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. G. V. Kershaw. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. V. Kershaw.) mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, polished, generally very fine (4) £800-£1,000

M.C. London Gazette 15 October 1918:
‘During recent operations the company commanded by him was repeatedly engaged. He organised his attacking parties with great skill, and at one period when, owing to casualties inflicted by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, the advance was checked, he personally took charge of the attacking party, and by his determined example and fine leadership successfully drove out the enemy and established a strong point 800 yards in front of the old line. He did splendid work.’

The original Divisional Recommendation gives further details: ‘During the operations east of Hebuterne between 20th and 24th July 1918, the Company commanded by Captain Kershaw was repeatedly engaged. He organised his attacking parties with skill, and at one period, owing to casualties inflicted by heavy rifle and machine gun fire, the advance was checked, he personally took charge of the attacking party. It was due to his determination and leadership that the attack was finally successful. Throughout he showed fine qualities of leadership and courage under heavy fire.’

George Vaughan Kershaw was educated at Malvern and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment on 31 October 1914, having previously served as a Trooper in the Cheshire Yeomanry. He served with the 1/6th Battalion during the Great War initially in the Gallipoli theatre of War from October 1915, before proceeding to the Western Front, and was advanced Captain. He died on 23 July 1940.

Sold with the case of issue for the M.C.; Divisional Card with the citation for the M.C.; a 1918 Christmas Card, listing the operations of 1918, named to the recipient; and a photograph of the recipient outside Buckingham Palace on his investiture day, these last three all mounted in glazed display frames.