Lot Archive

Lot

№ 273

.

2 April 2004

Hammer Price:
£1,700

A fine Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Captain F. Vans-Agnew, ‘B’ Battalion, Tank Corps, and King Edward’s Horse, for the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse neatly inscribed ‘Captain Frank Vans Agnew, Tank Corps, Messines, 6.7.17’; 1914-15 Star (1112 Pte, K. Edw. H.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) nearly extremely fine (4) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 16 August 1917.The recommendation states ‘On 7 June 1917, this officer guided his tank with great coolness and judgment up to the Oosttaverne Line and rendered considerable assistance to the infantry. When the camouflage carried on the tank was set on fire he got out, under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, to assist in putting it out. He was wounded in doing this, but continued to command his tank and brought it back to its rallying point after the action.’

Only six Military Crosses to the Tank Corps for the Battle of Messines, 7 June 1917.