Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War cavalry action M.C. group of four to Lieutenant D. P. Tennant, 15th Hussars, late 1st Mounted Rifles

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘Lieut. D. P. Tennant, 15th Hussars, Aug. 8th 1918’, in case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Pte., 1st M.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.), last three mounted as worn, good very fine and better (4) £600-700

M.C. London Gazette 15 October 1918. T./Lt., Res. Cav. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and able leadership. When his squadron was held up by the enemy at a certain spot he led his troop round with great ability and sent back accurate and valuable information which enabled the squadron to move forward quickly and gain their objective. He did most excellent work throughout the day.’

Douglas Plewman Tennant of Cape Town was enrolled into the 1st Mounted Rifles and saw service with them in German South-West Africa, 20 August 1914 - 9 July 1915. He served in France / Flanders, 14 February 1916 - 11 November 1918. On 1 July 1917 he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Reserve Regiments of Cavalry and attached to the 15th Hussars. He won the M.C. with the regiment on 8 August 1918 in an action in the vicinity of Marcelcave.

Sold with a certificate of award for the 1914-15 Star from the Defence Headquarters, Pretoria for services rendered in German South-West Africa; a certificate of congratulations for the M.C. from Fourth Army Headquarters, dated 30 August 1918 and signed, ‘Rawlinson, Genl.’; a telegram requesting his attendance at Buckingham Palace to receive the M.C.; four photographs of the recipient including one taken after his investiture at Buckingham Palace on 31 July 1919; a type-written copy of a letter to his mother describing the M.C. winning action of 8 August 1918 and copied research.

Extracts from the letter read: ‘I was detailed the night before the last show started to lead the Brigade, that is to be advanced Troop Leader. We started at 4p.m. The previous nights we had trekked, hidden in woods during the day for surprise. Well from the time I was detailed I was on the go, studying maps, inspecting horses ... Then our trek ended. It was a most trying time I have ever had in my life; avoiding Tanks, Lewis Guns, marching infantry, all in pitch darkness and finding the right way. However we reached our rendezvous all right, just behind the Huns and then I fell asleep at my horses feet for about half-hour. After that messages started to arrive, and with Zero Hour the Huns started and we were in the saddle, and off we started with the whippets across the trenches, over wire and every other obstacle war has invented. ... we pushed on over “No Man’s Land” and by jove it was an awful trip. ... As well as doing advanced guard I was sent off once to get a personal reconnaissance of a village which was holding up the infantry on the right flank, and I had to ride through a machine-gun barrage. It was exciting but I got my work done and no sooner had I reported than I was sent off to a village beyond with a troop and fell into a terrific flanking fire. I got under cover and as the squadron was nearby I signalled them, and there being no Squadron Leader handy, I ordered “Draw Swords”, “Swords in Line”, “Gallop” and we went clear through it with very few casualties and got to the next village and were the means of the Infantry capturing the whole bunch. The Col. then came up and asked me “Can the 15th Hussars get their objective?” I said “I will let you know in half an hour” I collected what remained of the troop and started out on a four mile gallop. We were shot at from every side but galloped like the blazes and saw our objective ...’