A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant H. W. Lake, Coldstream Guards

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘H. W. Lake, Aug-15th 1918’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); Defence Medal, unnamed; Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Dep. Sect. Ldr. Harold W. Lake) mounted for display, nearly very fine and better (5) £850-950

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Coldstream Guards, R.F.C., R.N.A.S. and R.A.F. formed by the late Tom Baugh.

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M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919. ‘For conspicuous gallantry in attack. He led his two platoons with the greatest dash, rushing two strong points and capturing numerous prisoners. Having taken the final objective, he organised his men and dug in, placing three Lewis Guns to cover his left flank. Later when his command was reduced to eighteen men and was being surrounded by overwhelming numbers, he withdrew his men in perfect order after inflicting heavy casualties. Throughout he showed marked courage and ability to command’.

Harold Walter Lake was born at Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, on 24 December 1882. He was educated at Uppingham and Oriel College, Oxford, taking his B.A. in 1905 and M.A. in 1957. Having graduated with Honours in Law, he was articled as a Solicitor to his uncle in Lincolns Inn. After passing his final law exams he returned to Bury St. Edmunds, joining the brewing firm of Messrs. Greene, King and Sons as a Director. Lake joined the Coldstream Guards from the Suffolk Volunteers and was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the Special Reserve on 26 January 1917. Confirmed as 2nd Lieutenant in August 1917, posted to the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards serving with the B.E.F. on 16 October 1917. Promoted to Lieutenant in July 1918. Awarded the M.C. for an action on 15 August 1918 in the area around Croisilles. He was demobilised in April 1919. After the war he returned to his work with Greene, King and Sons. In 1937 he became Chairman and Managing Director of Morlands Brewery of Abingdon. He was also Alderman of the West Suffolk County Council. Latterly living at Meltoncourt, London; he died on 19 June 1960.

With copied research, including copied photograph.