Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Western Front’ M.C. pair awarded to Lieutenant J. Bazley-White, West Yorkshire Regiment, late Royal West Kent Regiment, for conspicuous gallantry during the First Battle of Bullecourt on 9 April 1917; he later served in the Home Guard, and died ‘on active service’ during the Battle of Britain

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse contemporarily engraved ‘J. Bazley-White, Lieutenant. 2/7th. West Yorks Regt. Bullecourt, France, April 9th. 1917. August 3rd. 1917.’; Queen’s Mediterranean 1899-1902 (Lieut. J. Bazley White. R. W. Kent R.); mounted together with an unrelated British War Medal 1914-20 (T. Rogers. Fmn. M.F.A.); and Victory Medal 1914-19 (212 Pte. G. Hollis. Hunts. Cyc. Bn.); together with the recipient’s four miniature awards, mounted as worn and housed in a Gaunt, London, leather case, light contact marks, generally very fine (4) £800-£1,200

M.C. London Gazette 18 June 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While commanding a patrol, although detected and fired on, he pressed forward, and did not withdraw until he obtained the information he desired.’

John Bazley-White was born in 1878, the elder son of John Bazley-White, Esq., M.P. for Gravesend, and Lady Grace Bazley-White, and through his mother’s family was descended from the Earls of Rothes. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, on 29 March 1899, and served with them on garrison duty in Malta, being awarded the Queen’s Mediterranean Medal for his roll in guarding Boer Prisoners of War.

Bazley-White transferred to the West Kent Yeomanry Cavalry, and following the outbreak of the Great War was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the West Yorkshire Regiment on 16 June 1916, being promoted temporary Lieutenant the same day. He served with the 2nd/7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 January 1917, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during the First Battle of Bullecourt on 9 April 1917. Wounded, he relinquished his commission on account of ill-health caused by his wounds on 15 February 1919, and was entitled to a Silver War Badge.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War Bazley-White joined the Home Guard. in November 1940, during the Battle of Britain, a dogfight broke out over his home in Kemsing, near Sevenoaks, Kent, and an R.A.F. pilot bailed out. According to family tradition, ‘Jock officially put himself on duty by donning his tin hat and badge and went off to investigate.’ After running across two ploughed field in his Wellington boots, he collapsed and died.