Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. attributed to Lieutenant C. F. K. Ekensteen, Australian Field Artillery

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved ‘Lt. K. Ekensteen, Prémont. Sept. 1918’, complete with original pin brooch, nearly extremely fine £400-£500

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919.
The original Recommendation states: ‘During the operation east of Joncourt on the morning of 6th October, whilst supporting the 30th American Division, this officer was detailed to take charge of a mounted reconnaissance patrol. The advance did not proceed according to programme and this officer assuming the part of an intelligence officer moved along the advanced line of the Regimental front throughout the day, forwarding the most useful information as hostile machine gun positions that were definitely holding our infantry advance. Throughout the day although exposed to heavy machine gun and artillery fire, the Artillery Group were kept informed of the position of our infantry and the artillery were thus enabled to give the utmost support to the advancing infantry. With an utter disregard for personal safety, this officer communicated the position of our troops when it was very difficult to ascertain the situation.’

Clive Frederick Keith Ekensteen was born at Watson’s Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He enlisted into the ranks of the Australian Artillery on 20 September 1915, as Gunner No. 7171. He embarked for Egypt on 18 November 1915, and landed there on 21 December 1915. He was subsequently posted to 5th Field Artillery Brigade, destined for France, landing there in March 1915. He was transferred to the 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column and was commissioned Second Lieutenant ‘in the field’, on 26 November 1917. On 21 May 1918 he was transferred to the 4th Field Artillery Brigade, with which he was to earn the Military Cross. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 9 March 1918.

Note: The date and location engraved to the reverse of M.C. does not tally with the official Recommendation, although, in common with similar cases, it may be that the recipient, not having seen a copy of the Recommendation, was unaware of the exact circumstances for which he had been awarded the M.C.

Sold with copied research.