Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Klein Zillebeke, September 1917’ M.C., and ‘Ginchy, Somme, September 1916’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Major F. J. Snook, North Staffordshire Regiment, late Grenadier Guards

Military Cross, G.V.R.; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9797 C.S. Mjr: F. Snook. 2/G. Gds:); 1914 Star (9797 C.Q.M. Sjt. F. Snook. 2/G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (Major F. Snook.) medals unmounted, good very fine (5) £3,000-£4,000

M.C. London Gazette 19 November 1917; citation published 22 March 1918:
‘2nd Lt. (A./Capt.) Frederick James Snook, N. Staffs. R.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When battalion headquarters had been destroyed by shell fire and nearly all the personnel became casualties, by his energy and example he enabled a new headquarters to be formed and communication with the brigade rapidly re-established. His fearlessness and and conduct in a critical situation were most exemplary.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘East of Klein Zillebeke, 20 September 1917.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 November 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. When all the officers near him became casualties Coy. Serjt.-Maj. Snook, although wounded himself, collected what men he could and pushed forward to the most advanced firing line, assisting his company commander to collect and reorganise men of various battalions under most trying conditions and heavy fire.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘Near Ginchy, 15 September 1916.’

Frederick James Snook was born at Pontypool, Monmouthshire, and was a steelworker when he enlisted into the Grenadier Guards at Pontypool on 19 August 1901, aged 18. He accompanied the Expeditionary Force to France on 12 August 1914, as Company Quarter-master Sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. He was slightly wounded near Bethune on 2 January 1915, was again slightly wounded in the Field on 16 May 1915, and was slightly wounded for a third time on the occasion of winning his D.C.M. on 15 September 1916. He was appointed to a permanent commission as 2nd Lieutenant on 1 October 1916, and was posted to the 8th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. He was promoted Lieutenant on 31 March 1918; Captain, 25 October 1918; and was Acting Major from 15 June 1918.

Sold with copied research together with original documents including 1st Class Certificate of Education, Guards Division 1916 certificate for good work performed on the Field of Battle, Officer’s Record of Services (Army Book 439), and commission documents as W.O. 2 in the Grenadier Guards and as 2nd Lieutenant in the North Staffordshire Regiment.