The Fine Collection of Medals to 'Old Contemptibles' formed by Major Bob Keay

A rare Great War O.B.E. and ‘1914’ M.C. group of six awarded to Brevet Major L . A. Clemens, 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, who was present with his regiment near Mons on 24 August 1914 and severely wounded on 27 October 1914 at Neuve Chapelle
The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (O.B.E.), Military, type 1; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse neatly inscribed ‘Capt. L. A. Clemens, 2nd Bn., South Lancs. Regt.’; 1914 Star, with clasp (Lt. & Adj., S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Bt. Major); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with palm, good very fine and better (6)
£1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Fine Collection of Medals to 'Old Contemptibles' formed by Major Bob Keay.

View
Collection

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.
M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915. This was one of the very first gazettings of the newly instituted Military Cross and as with all these early awards it was announced under the general heading ‘for services rendered in connection with operations in the field.’
Despatches four times London Gazette 19 October 1914, 17 February 1915, 4 January 1917 and 15 May 1917.
French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 6 November 1918.

Brevet Major Lionel Alfred Clemens served in France and Flanders with the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment in the rank of Lieutenant and Adjutant from 4 August 1914. He is confirmed as being amongst the very first troops to see action during the Great War, when at 4am on 24 August 1914, not far from Mons ‘the German infantry, in serried masses and firing from the hip, came straight for the positions occupied by the Battalion and were met by the defenders with rifle and machine gun fire.’

Clemens was subsequently severely wounded on 27 October 1914 at Neuve Chapelle and on recovery served as Assistant Military Secretary at H.Q. Eastern Command. The regimental history of the South Lancashire Regiment, Ich Dien, by Captain Whalley-Kelly gives further detail. Sold with copy m.i.c.