Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Major E. W. Fleming, Fort Garry Horse, for leading his Squadron in the outstanding charge through the enemy lines at the battle Cambrai in 1917, when Lieutenant Henry Strachan won the Victoria Cross

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Major. E. W. Fleming.) the Victory Medal naming erased, together with mounted set of three miniatures, the M.C. named ‘E. W. Fleming Nov 20th 1917 Fort Garry Horse’, good very fine (6) £500-600

M.C. London Gazette 25 April 1918.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in command of the leading troop of his squadron, which galloped through the enemy’s lines and silenced a battery by cutting down all the gun crew.’

Edward William Fleming was born at Seacombe, Cheshire, on 24 June 1874. He enlisted into the 10th Canadian Mounted Rifles at Moosomin, Saskatchewan, on 22 December 1914, and was commissioned on 10 January 1916, and posted to Fort Garry Horse Reserve Regiment for service in France. Appointed Acting Captain, Fort Garry Horse, 14 April 1918; Acting Major, Fort Garry Horse, 25 October 1918; Temporary Major, 20 February 1919. Major Fleming died on 28 May 1937.

Fleming commanded No. 1 Troop of ‘B’ Squadron, Fort Garry Horse at Cambrai on 20 November 1917. The citation for Lieutenant Henry Strachan’s Victoria Cross gives a succinct account of the action for which Fleming earned the Military Cross:

‘For most conspicuous bravery and leadership during operations. He took command of his regiment when the squadron leader, approaching the enemy front line at a gallop was killed. Lt. Strachan led the squadron through the enemy line of machine-gun posts, and then, with the surviving men, led the charge on the enemy battery, killing seven of the gunners with his sword. All the gunners having been killed and the battery silenced, he rallied his men and fought his way back at night through the enemy’s line, bringing all unwounded men safely in, together with 15 prisoners.

The operation - which resulted in the silencing of an enemy battery, the killing of the whole battery personnel and many infantry, and the cutting of three main lines of telephone communication two miles in rear of the enemy’s front line - was only rendered possible by the outstanding gallantry and fearless leading of this officer.’

Sold with copies of full personnel file and published accounts by Strachan of this famous action, with several mentions of Fleming who was present throughout, and several copied photographs of Fleming and his grave.