Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain C. T. J. McDowell, Royal Field Artillery

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.) mounted court style for wear, good very fine (4) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

Recommendation: ‘For conspicuous gallantry during an enemy attack, Acting Captain McDowell was wounded but would not leave his post as his battery was under very heavy fire, at one point the enemy had broken through on the Minden Road. Captain McDowell turned his guns and firing over open sights halted the enemy attack. This officer’s tireless energy and sound orders has shown great courage to all in his battery. Captain McDowell was wounded again in both legs by shell fire later in the day’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

Cecil Thomas Jeffries McDowell was born in Clapton, 13 November 1887. Prior to the war he was a Civil Engineer and an Artificial Concrete Manufacturer. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the 1st Warwickshire Battery R.F.A. (T.F.) on 29 August 1914. He entered France on 31 March 1915. Promoted to Captain in June 1916 and Staff Captain in November 1917. Mentioned in the despatches of General Sir Douglas Haig, 13 November 1916 and later awarded the Military Cross when serving with ‘L’ Battery, 165 Brigade R.F.A. in the 55th Division, being twice wounded on the occasion he won the M.C. After the war he resumed career and eventually became Chairman of the Cast Stone and Concrete Federation. He died at Eastbourne on 2 July 1959.

With original case for the M.C., a faded photograph of the recipient and copied m.i.c. and recommendation.