A Great War ‘Passchendaele’ M.C. group of four to Lieutenant-Colonel R. F. Studd, Princess Louise Fusiliers and 42nd Highlanders of Canada

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration, G.V.R., reverse impressed, ‘Lt. Col. R. F. Studd M.C. P.L. Fus.’, with brooch bar, in case of issue, nearly extremely fine and better (4) £1200-1500

M.C. London Gazette 18 January 1918; citation 25 April 1918. ‘Capt., [Canadian] Infy.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was senior officer of two companies in an attack. Before the attack he made a careful reconnaissance of “No Man’s Land” and established two advanced posts. He displayed tireless energy and marked qualities of leadership, and exposed himself fearlessly under heavy fire directing the operations.

Roya Farquhar Studd was born in Rockingham, Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 16 January 1893. Employed as a Real Estate Broker, he served as an officer in Princess Louise Fusiliers from March 1913 to February 1930, being promoted to Captain in November 1915. Posted to the Canadian Expeditionary Force in December 1915, he was appointed a Lieutenant in the 17th Battalion C.E.F. In January 1916 he was posted to the 42nd Battalion in France. During 15/16 September 1916 the unit was involved in heavy fighting for the Zollern Graben during the battle of the Somme. On 9 April 1917 Lieutenant Studd was in command of ‘B’ Company involved in the consolidation of the defence line at La Folie Wood, in the actions at Vimy Ridge. Promoted to Temporary Captain on 3 October 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross for his services at Passchendaele, on the night of 2/3 November 1917. Notification of the award was given on 7 December and he was awarded the decoration at Buckingham Palace on 19 December. The unit remained in France until February 1919. Returning to Canada Captain Studd was placed on the Reserve of Officers, C.E.F. With the Princess Louise Fusiliers he was advanced to Major in September 1920 and attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1927. Awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration by General Orders 74 of 1935. Lieutenant-Colonel Studd died on 25 November 1937.


With original telegram requesting his attendance at Buckingham Palace, and a quantity of copied service papers and other research including copied photographs.