A Great War M.C. and Bar group of seven to Major E. Brandish, Royal Field Artillery

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (94949 Sgt., R.F.A.); 1914 Star with clasp (94949 R.S. Mjr., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Major); Army L.S.& G.C., E.VII.R. (94949 Q.M. Sjt., R.F.A.); France, Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, star on ribbon, mounted Court style as worn, slight contact marks very fine and better (7) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed by The Late A. A. Mount.

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M.C. London Gazette 19 November 1917, citation 22 March 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His battery was heavily shelled, two ammunition pits were hit, and several men were buried by shell fire. He at once organised a party to dig the men out, and, having started the work, went with another party through heavy fire to extinguish the ammunition dump, which was exploding dangerously and threatened to damage his guns. His coolness under difficult circumstances was a splendid example to his men.’ (Lt. (A./Major) R.F.A.).

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 4 October 1919: ‘On 14th October 1918 near Gheluwe, when a hostile 77mm. battery held up the infantry, he at once pushed forward with a wire, the position of the hostile guns being indicated by another officer, and at once engaged them and put them to flight. He then turned on to a nest of hostile machine-guns in the vicinity and silenced them. By his prompt action, great gallantry and initiative, he enabled the advance to continue, and materially assisted the infantry at a critical moment.’ (Lt. (A./Major) A/190th Bde. R.F.A.).

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 21 July 1919.

Eli Brandish attested for the Royal Field Artillery in 1899 and served with them in South Africa between January 1900 and June 1901. Promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant Major in 1910, he was commissioned in January 1915. Holding the rank of Lieutenant (Acting Major), he greatly distinguished himself and was thrice slightly wounded and in 1918 was badly gassed.

Sold with 30 sheets of copied service papers, copied extracts from the war diaries and other research. He retired in 1920 with the substantive rank of Major and died in 1933.