A superb Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant P. L. Smout, 1/7th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment, attached 2/20th Battalion, London Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (1803 Pte., 7th Lond.R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); Defence Medal 1939-45, some minor contact wear, nearly very fine or better (5) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment.

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M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919 (Second Lieutenant, 1/7th Battalion, attached 2/20th Battalion, London Regiment). ‘He led his men with great gallantry against a strong point, when the company was held up by barbed wire. He found a small gap, and dashed through alone in face of withering machine-gun fire, and although wounded, he jumped up and got into the enemy trench. His courageous leadership resulted in the capture of the strong point and thirty prisoners.’

Percy Libbis Smout served in the ranks of the 1/7th Battalion, London Regiment, receiving his commission in the same regiment in February 1915. He first served in France from 17 March 1915 and at the time of winning his Military Cross was attached to the 2/20th Battalion, London Regiment.