A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Three: Captain R. H. C. Gilliat, Leinster Regiment, attached Connaught Rangers, killed in action 6 April 1915

1914 Star, with clasp (Capt., Leins. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); together with memorial plaque (Reginald Horace Crosbie Gilliat); and original card boxes of issue for two of the medals, extremely fine (4) £450-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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Reginald Horace Crosbie Gilliat was killed in action in France and Flanders on 6 April 1915, whilst serving with the 5th Battalion, Leinster Regiment, attached 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers. He is buried at Rue-Du-Bacquerot No. 1 Military Cemetery, France. His twin brother Captain C. G. P. Gilliat, Royal Warwickshire Regiment died of wounds at Meteren, France on 14 October 1914.

The Leinster regimental history states: ‘Captain Gilliat was an officer “brave to the point of recklessness, who simply did not know the meaning of the word fear” he met his death while admonishing his orderly to keep his head down below the level of the parapet - a precaution he scorned to adopt himself.’

The Connaught Rangers history also pays tribute to Gilliat: ‘Captain R.H.C. Gilliat was to the great regret of all in the Rangers, killed during heavy sniping on April 6th. He had brilliantly distinguished himself when with the 2nd battalion of the Rangers in the First Battle of Ypres, in particular on November 11th 1914, during the attack of the Prussian Guard.’