Orders, Decorations and Medals Including five Special Collections

A fine Battalion Commander’s ‘March Retreat’ M.C. group of four to Lieutenant-Colonel F. E. Young, Rifle Brigade

Military Cross, G.V.R., in case of issue; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut., Rif. Brig); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col.) generally nearly extremely fine (4) £550-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of of Great War Medals to the Rifle Brigade.

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M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He organised a counter-attack and succeeded in putting out of action the enemy machine gun that was enfilading an advanced post. At another time he defended a quarry under intense artillery barrage with some 30 men until enveloped on one flank, and then successfully cut his way out. Again he organised a composite body of troops and brought them up to the assistance of the front line, and then called for volunteers to go with him and locate men left behind in an advanced post, and brought back what remained of them.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 24 May 1918.

Fred Edmund Young was educated at Malvern & Christ's College Cambridge. He applied for a commission in the Rifle Brigade Special Reserve in August 1914 & his application is endorsed “Very strongly recommended.” Later on, his company runner described him as a magnificent soldier and a wonderful leader.” Young went to France in December 1914 where he was attached to the 1st K.S.L.I. until posted to the 2nd Rifle Brigade on 11 May 1915 (“A” Coy. & battalion bombing officer). During the Battle of Loos he led a specially trained party of bombers in a diversionary attack on Bois Grenier. He then went to command the 25th Brigade Grenadier Coy. on 21 November where he was accidentally wounded by a grenade explosion on 8 December 1915. He joined the 6th (Reserve) Bn. Rifle Brigade for duty in February 1916 and was promoted Captain in April. Posted to 8th (S) Bn. Rifle Brigade in France, May 1917 and became O.C. “D” Company, then Major and second-in command in November 1917 and commanded the battalion on numerous occasions including most of the March-April 1918 Retreat. He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 21 May 1918 & commanded the bn. until it was disbanded in August when he went to command the 16th (S) Bn. Rifle Brigade. He retired in 1920 but served again as a captain in the 5th Queen’s Royal Regiment, Defence Force, during the 1921 general strike.