Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Major J. L. Clowes, Machine Gun Corps, late King’s Royal Rifle Corps

1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., K.R. Rif. C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Major); Belgium, Croix de Guerre, ‘A’ cypher; Civic Medal, 1st Class, gilt; Medal of the National Committee for Assistance and Food Supply, silvered metal, mounted court style for wear, good very fine (6) £400-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of British Groups with Foreign Awards.

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Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 4 September 1919. ‘Captain (temporary Major), King’s Royal Rifle Corps (Special Reserve), seconded 9th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.’

John Legh Clowes was born in Winchester on 20 May 1890. He was educated at Eton School, 1904-07 and at the Central Technical College, South Kensington. Soon after the commencement of hostilities, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps and entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 9 August 1915. Later, as a Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion K.R.R.C., 80th Brigade, he was attached to the Motor Boat Patrol, Besik Lake, Macedonia. He was invalided from the Balkan theatre of war in July 1916 suffering from malaria. He was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1915 and Captain in January 1917. As a Temporary Major seconded to the 9th Battalion M.G.C. he was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre; in addition he was mentioned in despatches. Clowes attained the rank of Major in 1921 and latterly lived at Milnthorpe, Winchester. With copied service papers, m.i.c., gazette extracts and other research. M.I.D. and last two Belgian medals not confirmed.