Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Great War M.C. and Bar group of six awarded to Captain J. Sedgewick, Durham Light Infantry, late Squadron Sergeant-Major, 2nd Dragoon Guards

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, S.A. 1901, S.A. 1902 (3946 Serjt., 2nd Drgn. Gds.); 1914-15 Star (2DG-3946 Sq.S.Mjr., 2-D.Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (3946 Sq. S. Mjr., 2/D. Gds.) generally good very fine (6) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Langham Collection of Medals to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

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M.C. London Gazette 26 November 1917, citation London Gazette 6 April 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company forward under heavy shell fire to a flank position of great danger, which he successfully consolidated. Though twice wounded, he refused to leave his men, and by his courage and energy was responsible for repelling an enemy counter-attack. When his commanding officer was killed, he took command of the battalion and successfully brought it out of action.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919, citation London Gazette 4 October 1919: ‘Near Vendegies Au Bois on 23rd October, 1918, he showed conspicuous skill and gallantry in handling his company. When his right flank was held up he at once organised a flank attack which cleared out several troublesome machine-gun nests with the bayonet. At the same time he continued to push forward his company and secured his first objective; there he rapidly reorganised his command and seized the final objective. His commanding officer becoming a casualty, he then took over command of the battalion and led a successful attack.’

John Sedgewick was born on 13 August 1873, and served in the ranks of the 2nd Dragoon Guards for 22 years 168 days and as a Warrant Officer for 2 years 139 days. He served in the South African War, including operations in Cape Colony, Orange River Colony and the Transvaal (medal with 5 clasps). Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, from Squadron Sergeant Major, for services in the field, in June 1917, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, serving with them until he was wounded on the occasion of winning his first Military Cross during the Third Battle of Ypres. He was subsequently posted to the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, and served with them until the Armistice, winning a Bar to his M.C. in the process. After the war he proceeded to North Russia and took part in the operations of the Murmansk and Archangel Forces.

Sedgewick was an expert shot and competed at Bisley over a number of years. In 1934 he was runner-up for the King’s Prize which was won that year by Captain J. A. Barlow, West Yorkshire Regiment. It was a noteworthy occasion in that the final ‘Hundred’ competition produced a tie between Sedgewick and Barlow, each with a formidable total of 288 points. In the resulting tie-shoot in front of the Royal enclosure the famous prize eventually went to Barlow who was chaired and carried off to the N.R.A. Headquarters with the usual musical honours. Captain Sedgewick died on 13 August 1940.