Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Salonika operations’ M.C. group of five awarded to Captain F. E. Warran, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, for his gallantry in extricating his patrol from a night raid when they were set upon by a force of Bulgarian cavalry and infantry near Ada, 15 November 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. F. E. Warran.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as originally worn, generally very fine (5)
£800-£1,200

M.C. London Gazette 4 February 1918 (citation appearing in London Gazette 5 July 1918):

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in command of a patrol. Whilst engaged in surrounding an enemy post he was attacked on both flanks by superior numbers of enemy infantry and cavalry but he succeeded in extracting his patrol and driving off the enemy with considerable loss. He also repulsed a second enemy attack while he was withdrawing. He showed splendid courage and skill in a critical situation.’

Francis Ernest Warran was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant in 9th (Reserve) Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in May 1915. He subsequently transferred to the 2nd Battalion, and served with them as part of the 82nd Brigade in the Salonika theatre of operations from 27 December 1916.

Warran distinguished himself against the Bulgarians in operations around Ada, Kispeki and Salmah in November 1917. The Regimental History gives the following:

‘Nightly patrols in the neighbourhood of Ada and Kispeki discovered that hostile patrols when they visited the former entered the village at about 9pm, either by the Seres-Ada track, passing west of Ciftlidzik, or via Kispeki and up under the Meander Stream. On the night of the 9th/10th of November two and a half companies of the D.C.L.I., under Major Willyams, raided Ada, but the operation was a disappointment as only one solitary Bulgar was seen in Kispeki and he made off in the direction of Salmah.

On the 15th a patrol of D Company “laid up” in the neighbourhood of Ada in the hope of encountering hostile patrols. The patrol was, however, attacked by a greatly superior force of the enemy and after inflicting casualties the Cornwalls withdrew to Kispeki where they were heavily shelled. They then returned to Ago Mah without further incident. Subsequently 2/Lieut. F. C. Warran was awarded the Military Cross, the official citation reading:

“Whilst engaged in surrounding an enemy post he was attacked on both flanks by superior numbers of enemy infantry and cavalry, but he succeeded in extricating his patrol and driving off the enemy with considerable loss. He also repulsed a second attack while he was withdrawing.”

Sergt. A. Moss was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the same occasion.’

Warran transferred to the Reserve of Officers only to re-engage for service during the Second War as Lieutenant in the Pioneer Corps, in June 1941. He advanced to Captain in December 1944, and was released to the Unemployed List in 1947.

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