A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Temporary Second Lieutenant S. F. Mathews, Gloucestershire Regiment, attached 1/5th Devonshire Regiment, late 1/4th Suffolk Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, mounted on investiture pin in case of issue; 1914 Star (2311 Pte. S. F. Mathews. 1/4 Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. S. F. Mathews.) extremely fine (4) £800-£1,000

M.C. London Gazette 15 February 1919; citation 30 July 1919:

‘At Flesquieres on September 27th, 1918, during the attack on Premy Avenue, he showed most conspicuous gallantry under heavy shell and machine-gun fire. Having captured the objective, he consolidated the position and established connection with another brigade in Ribecourt. At Masineres on September 30th, finding he was the only officer left in four companies, he took charge of the whole line for a distance of 500 yards, and throughout the day held on to his position, beating off all enemy attempts to approach his line. His gallant conduct inspired all ranks.’

Stuart Frank Mathews was born in the Parish of Littleham, Devon, and attested for the 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, at Ipswich on 5 October 1914, having previous service of 6 years in the 4th Devons. He served in France and Flanders from 8 November 1914, and was wounded on 11 March 1915 by a gunshot in the face. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 6 July 1917, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Gloucestershire Regiment on 18 May 1918. He was attached to the 1/5th Devonshire Regiment at the time of winning his M.C. in September 1918.