Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant H. W. Green, Hampshire Regiment, late Royal Fusiliers, who was twice wounded

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (G.2788 Pte. H. W. Green, R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. W. Green) mounted court style, nearly extremely fine (4) £1000-1400

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2012.

M.C. London Gazette 7 November 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He led two platoons in an attack and captured a machine gun. When the enemy attempted to filter back and bring forward a machine gun he forced them to retire by his initiative and skilful action. He showed a very fine example to his men.’

Henry Walter Green was born in Hampstead, London on 22 December 1894, and attested for the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) on 15 September 1914. Posted to the 12th Battalion, he served during the Great War on the Western Front from 1 September 1915, and was present during the actions at Loos and Wulverghem, and on the Somme at Delville Wood and Guillemont. He returned to England on 30 January 1917, and was admitted to 20 Officer Cadet Battalion at Crookham on 10 March 1917, following which he was discharged to a temporary commission in the Hampshire Regiment on 26 June 1917. He served with the 15th Battalion on the Western Front, and was wounded in action sometime around September/ October 1917, but not too seriously as he was placed in command of a Company with the rank of acting Captain from 28 October 1917 to 23 January 1918. Reverting to the rank of Second Lieutenant, he was with the Battalion when it took part in a new offensive on the Western Front beginning on 8 August 1918, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry in the attack on the Kemmel sector the following day, during which the Battalion suffered heavily, with 147 casualties. Shortly afterwards, on 14 October 1918, Green was wounded in action for a second time when he received a shell wound to his left hand at Menin during the advance across the River Lys. As a result of his injuries he was evacuated to England, landing at Dover on 16 October 1918. Promoted temporary Lieutenant on 27 December 1918, he was released from service on 3 November 1919. He relinquished his commission on 25 November 1920, retaining the rank of Lieutenant.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card and a large quantity of copied service papers and other research.