Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant H. A. I. B. Stokes, 3rd Battalion, attached 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, late Royal Fusiliers, who died in November 1918 of the wounds he received whilst in the act of winning the M.C.

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (STK-843 Pte. H. A. Stokes. R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. H. A. I. B. Stokes.) extremely fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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M.C. London Gazette 15 February 1919; citation London Gazette 30 July 1919:
‘While forming up for the attack near Rumilly on October 1st, 1918, he was wounded but remained with his platoon and advanced with it to the attack. Under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire from three sides he reorganised his men into groups, thereby avoiding many casualties and enabling the advance to proceed. Later, when further advance became impossible, he, though wounded a second time, stayed and encouraged his men until every other wounded man had been got away. He showed great courage and devotion to duty.’

Hugh Adrian Innys Blyth Stokes served as a Private with the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, in France from 31 July 1915, and was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the 3rd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and later into the 2nd Battalion. He was wounded on 1 October 1918, and died of his wounds on 28 November 1918. He is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey. He was the son of Hugh Innys Stokes and Kate May Stokes of 46 Baker Street London. Sold with a rather faded portrait photograph.