Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Norway 1940’ M.C. group of three attributed to Major I. G. Jessop, Royal Leicestershire Regiment, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War

Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, with a small tag attached to the medals that reads ‘Awarded to Major I. G. Jessop M.C., R. Leics. Norway 1940’, very fine (3) £600-£800

M.C. London Gazette 11 October 1945.

The original Recommendation states: ‘On the evening of 22 April 1940, this officer was ordered to build a road block and hold it for four hours two miles north of Oia. Before the task was completed his platoon came under heavy machine gun fire at short range. In spite of casualties, the attack was repulsed, and the position held. At the time ordered for his withdrawal, the enemy had penetrated both flanks Through his coolness, example, and fine leadership he succeeded in rejoining the battalion some eight hours later.’

Ian Gray Jessop was commissioned second lieutenant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment on 22 July 1939, and served with them in Norway during the early stages of the Second World War. Captured and taken prisoner of war, he was held in Oflag 7B Prisoner of War camp. Repatriated following the cessation of hostilities, he was advanced major on 2 July 1952.

Sold with some copied research, but with no original documentation.