Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘Home Guard’ M.B.E. group of six awarded to Major L. H. Finch, Staffordshire Home Guard, late Sherwood Foresters

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (Capt., Notts. & Derby. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); Defence Medal, unnamed; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., unnamed, hallmarks for London 1922, complete with top bar, some with contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £260-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 15 December 1944. ‘In recognition of meritorious service in the Home Guard’ ‘Major Leslie Hales Finch, 27th Battn. Staffordshire Home Guard’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916 (Haig).

T.D. London Gazette 29 July 1924.

Leslie Hales Finch was born c.1890, the son of W. Finch, 9 Heyworth Street, Derby and was educated at Uppingham School. Entering the Army, he served in the Sherwood Foresters and was promoted to Captain in August 1914. During the war he served as a Captain in the 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and was mentioned in despatches. He was invalided to England as a result of being gassed at Gommecourt in March 1917. Awarded the T.D. in 1924. As a Major in the Staffordshire Home Guard he was awarded the M.B.E. in 1944.

With copied research including copied group photograph which features Finch.