Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Quarter Master Sergeant C. J. Fale, 500th Wessex Field Company, Royal Engineers (Territorial Force), who was Mentioned in Despatches in 1917 and awarded an ‘Immediate’ M.S.M in 1918

1914-15 Star (409. 2-Cpl. C. J. Fale, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (409 Sjt. C. J. Fale. R.E.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (504031 Sjt: C. J. Fale. 500/Wessex F. Coy. R.E.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (504031 Sjt. C. J. Fale. R.E.) very fine or better (5) £300-£400

M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918:
‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in Salonika.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 November 1917
‘For gallant and distinguished services rendered during the past six months.’

Claude John Fale was born in 1890 at Sharnbrooke, Bedfordshire. He was a Coach Painter living in Bath when he attested for four years service in the 1st Wessex Field Company, Royal Engineers on 7 December 1909. He re-engaged for one year on 6 December 1913 and was then embodied with them on 4 August 1914 in the rank of Lance Corporal, serving in France from 22 December 1914.

The 1st Wessex Field Company served on the Western Front in France with the 27th Division from late 1914 for almost a year, taking part in the action at St Eloi (14-15 March 1915) and the Second Battle of Ypres (22 April – 25 May 1915) before embarking from Marseille for the Macedonian Front on 17 November 1915. The 27th Division completed its disembarkation at Salonika on 17 February 1916 and spent almost two years opposing the Bulgarians in the malarial Struma Valley. Acting Sergeant Fale was mentioned in Lieutenant-General Milne’s despatch dated 25 October 1917 and in 1918 was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his services in Salonika. In September 1918 the Allies began the final offensive and the 27th Division, including the renamed 500th (1st Wessex) were engaged in the capture of the Roche Noire Salient, followed by the passage of the Vardar and pursuit to the Strumica Valley. The armistice of Salonica was signed by Bulgaria on 29 September 1918, ending hostilities on the Macedonia Front. Fale’s unit was disembodied on 17 May 1919 and he returned to the motor trade. He received the Territorial Forces Efficiency Medal in 1920 and re-enlisted in the Territorial Force in July 1921, serving with the 43rd (Wessex) Division. He reached the rank of Company Quarter Master Sergeant in 1930 and received the clasp to the T.F.E.M. in 1932. Fale was finally discharged at his own request in 1939. He died in Bath in 1974.

Sold with the following original items and documentation: riband bar with M.I.D. oak leaves and clasp rosette, M.I.D. certificate, commendation certificate from G.O.C. 27th Division and group photograph circa 1919 showing the recipient wearing Sergeant’s rank insignia and the M.S.M. ribbon. Also together with copied research including relevant pages from the Company War Diary mentioning Fale by name.