The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Major C. R. Polhill-Drabble, Coldstream Guards

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘C. R. Polhill-Drabble’, in its case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. C. R. Polhill-Drabble) very fine (3) £900-1000

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 10 December 1919. '2nd Lt., C. Gds. (Spec. Res.), attd. 2nd Bn.' 'For conspicuous gallantry and leadership at La Flaque on 4th November, 1918. Seeing that there was a gap between the leading companies in the orchards near the farm, he led his platoon up to fill it, and enveloping the farm caused the surrender of five officers and forty-five men. Later, he organised his men and formed a defensive flank on the left, which was exposed. His prompt action materially assisted the general advance and saved many casualties'.

Charles Robert Polhill-Drabble was born in Sundridge, Kent, on 17 March 1899, and was educated at Parkside, Ewell and Eton. He was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards (Special Reserve) on 28 November 1917. After a spell in the Reserve Battalion, he was posted to France on 15 August 1918 to serve with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards. For his gallantry during the last days of the war he was awarded the Military Cross. He was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1919 and demobilised in November 1919. After the war he applied for a regular commission and was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards on 30 June 1920. He was promoted to Lieutenant in November 1920, appointed Adjutant in January 1924 and advanced to Captain in June 1928. Captain Pohill-Drabble retired on 22 March 1933. Then with the R.A.R.O. in November 1933 he was appointed a Brigade Major in the 140th (4th London) Infantry Brigade. Appointed a Staff Captain in May 1939 and in November 1939 was appointed Acting Major as Deputy Assistant Director of Movement and Components at the Ministry of Supply. Appointed a Temporary Major in February 1940, he reverted to Captain in the R.A.R.O. in February 1942. Having reached the age limit, he ceased to belong to the R.A.R.O. and retired with the rank of Major on 17 March 1949.

With copied service papers and m.i.c.