Medals and Coins, Arms and Armour - 22nd June 2021
Lot 35
The rare Great War M.C. and M.M. group of five to 2nd Lieutenant William Henry Hearn
Estimate £1,000 - £1,500 | Hammer £4200
+ Buyers Premium
Description
The rare Great War M.C. and M.M. group of five to 2nd Lieutenant William Henry Hearn, Rifle Brigade, who was commissioned from the ranks having already been awarded the Military Cross as a C.Q.M.S.: Military Cross, George V; Military Medal, George V (2911 C.Q.M.SJT: W. H. HEARN 3/RIF:BDE:); 1914 Star, 5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914 Bar (2911 SJT W.H. HEARN. 3/RIF.BRIG.); British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal (2. LIEUT. W.H. HEARN.); all very fine or better.
William Hearn's Military Cross was gazetted 14th November 1916, shortly after his M.M., and the Gazette gives his rank as C.Q.M.S., though he was later made R.Q.M.S., before being commissioned into the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (21st October 1917). Earlier in 1916 he had also been mentioned in a despatch of Sir John French "for gallant and distinguished services in the field".
His M.C. action took place 1st September 1916, in Delville Wood, on which day the battalion war diary records an attack, giving few details but mentioning Edge Trench as a focal point. The citation is as follows:
"For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led a bomb party with great courage and determination under a very heavy fire. He displayed great gallantry throughout, as he had done on many previous occasions"
Lieutenant Hearn survived the war, and retired, receiving a gratuity, 15th April 1919.