Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War M.S.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant R. C. Birch, 23rd (1st Sportsman’s) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers

1914-15 Star (474 Sjt. R. C. Birch. R. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (Spts-474 Sjt. R. C. Birch. R. Fus.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (474 Sjt. R. C. Birch. 23/R. Fus:) nearly extremely fine, scarce (4) £300-400

M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919:
‘In recognition of valuable service rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders.’

Robert Cockayne Birch was born in Thame, Oxfordshire, in 1876 and enlisted into the 23rd (1st Sportsman’s) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He served during the Great War with the Battalion on the Western Front from 16 November 1915 to 6 February 1919, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on the cessation of hostilities, one of only 8 awarded to the Battalion for the entire Great War. He died in Eastbourne, Sussex, on 11 March 1954.

Sold with the recipient’s two card identity tags; Royal Fusiliers cloth badge; and copied research.