The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Bar group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant W. N. Roe, Coldstream Guards

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Defence Medal, unnamed, mounted for display; together with a mounted set of three miniature dress medals (lacking Victory Medal), good very fine (7) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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M.C. London Gazette 2 December 1918. ’2nd Lt., C. Gds., Spec. Res., attd. 1st Bn.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and initiative in leading his platoon to the objective through a thick fog, and again in another attack, when he was on the right flank which was in the air. An intense hostile barrage came down just as the battalion started. He led on through the barrage with the utmost skill, and by his sound tactics overcame the determined resistance put up by the enemy machine guns which opposed his advance the whole way.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919. ‘2nd Lt., M.C., C. Gds. Spec. Res. attd. 1st Bn.’ ‘On the night 17th-18th September 1918, he reconnoitred the crossings of the Canal du Nord with great skill and resolute courage, getting within three yards of an enemy post in spite of the bright moonlight. The enemy were in strength and bombed the patrol heavily, 2nd Lt Roe being three times knocked over by the concussion of grenades. On retiring to our lines he found one of his men missing and immediately went out with another patrol and brought him in wounded from close to the enemy line, in spite of their being on the alert. His example to his men was admirable, and the information he brought back from his patrol was of great importance.’

Williams Nicholls Roe was born in Elstree, Hertfordshire on 30 September 1898. Educated at Stanmore Park and Eton College, serving in the O.T.C. at the latter school. On 14 August 1917, Roe a member of the Household Brigade, Officer Cadet Battalion, was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the Special Reserve of Officers, Coldstream Guards. Posted to France, his bravery in action was to result in the award of the M.C. and Bar. Roe was invalided to England on 31 December 1918 as a result of wounds - having suffered a ‘gunshot wound to the right thigh with compound fracture of the upper third of the femur, 27 September 1918. Bullet lodged and some of it remains.’ Still convalescing in July 1919, Roe was demobilised with effect from 1 November 1919, receiving a £250 gratuity for his war wound. He relinquished his commission in the Special reserve on 1 April 1920, retaining the rank of Lieutenant. Post-war he gained a B.A. (Oxon) in 1921 and became a Schoolmaster at Eton and applied for a Territorial Force Commission in June 1922. This was granted in July 1922 with precedence as Lieutenant from 1 October 1920 for service with Eton College Contingent, Junior Division, O.T.C. Promoted to Captain in June 1925 but resigned in October 1927. Roe applied for a commission in the T.A. in December 1940 and became a Lieutenant and Acting Captain of the Eton College Contingent. With copied service notes, citations and photograph.

There are believed to be eight ‘double M.C’s.’ to the Coldstream Guards for the Great War.