Orders, Decorations and Medals

1914-15 Star Trio (2/746 2/Lt. L. R. Gubbins, N.Z.E.F.) with re-engraved Bronze Memorial Plaque (Launcelot Russell Gubbins) extremely fine (4)

Launcelot Russell Gubbins was educated at Rugby after which he went to Western Canada, where he spent seven years, principally in British Columbia. During this time he visited California, Hawaii and Fiji. From 1908 to 1912 he was in New Zealand, and afterwards he went to one of the small South Pacific Islands, where he became manager of a copra plantation. On the outbreak of war he went to New Zealand, and enlisted in the New Zealand Field Artillery on September 12th, 1914. Reaching Egypt in December, he was present with his battery at the landings at Gaba Tepe, in Gallipoli, in April, 1915. Wounded at Achi Baba in July, he was sent to hospital at Malta, and returned in September to Gallipoli, where he remained till the evacuation. He then served in France almost continuously till August, 1917, taking part in some of the heaviest fighting.
After being promoted Corporal and Sergeant in succession, he was nominated for a commission and sent to England for training. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant in March, 1918, returned to France on March 29th, and was killed in action near Mount Scherpenberg, in Flanders, on the night of April 23rd, 1918.