A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant H. R. Strong, 5th (Special Reserve) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, for his gallantry during a trench raid at Arras on 26 February 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘2nd. Lieut. H. R. Strong. Won at Arras Feb. 26. 1917. Presented by H.M. The King May 23rd. 1917.’; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. H. R. Strong. Midd’x R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. R. Strong.) mounted for wear, good very fine (4) £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Middlesex Regiment.

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M.C. London Gazette 17 April 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. By his energy and coolness, he kept the bomb supply going, and finally when the enemy retired he opened rifle fire on them, inflicting a number of casualties.’

Herbert Richard Strong was born in Whitton, Middlesex, around 1892. Sent to the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps, he was appointed to a commission as Temporary Second Lieutenant on 19 February 1915, and subsequently joined the 11th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment as Second Lieutenant, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 December 1915. Advanced Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, he was decorated with the Military Cross following a highly successful trench raid on 26 February 1917. The Battalion War Diary on this date notes:
‘8.30 a.m.; Raiding party left our trenches, artillery barrage lifting and forming box barrage. Party returned 9.5 a.m. bringing 25 German prisoners, some 10 of whom were slightly wounded. 2/Lt. D. R. Gilfillan was killed by a German sniper, 4 other ranks were also killed... All ranks behaved splendidly and were congratulated afterwards by the G.O.C. 12th Division.’