A Collection of Medals to the Hampshire Regiment

A Great War ‘Second Battle of the Marne’ M.C. group of three awarded to Captain W. H. Ledgard, 2/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) good very fine and better (3) £800-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Hampshire Regiment.

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M.C. London Gazette 7 November 1918.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and fine leadership. Though suffering from a painful wound, he led his Company forward under heavy fire and captured a village and forty prisoners. He himself was one of the first to enter the village and personally took seven prisoners and a machine-gun. In spite of his wound, he remained at his post for two days, until ordered to go to the rear ambulance post. His example of courage and endurance was most inspiring to the men.’

Walter Hubert Ledgard was born in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, on 9 August 1874. He was educated at St. Paul’s School and St. John’s College, Cambridge and was by profession a Schoolmaster when he applied for a commission in the Territorial Force on 27 November 1914. He was appointed a Lieutenant in the 2/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment on 12 December 1914 and was advanced to Captain in December 1917. He served in Mesopotamia, May 1917-May 1918 and then in France and Flanders, May-July 1918. In operations on the Ardre, near Rheims, 23 July 1918 (Second Battle of the Marne), Ledgard commanding ‘C’ Company, 2/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, led an attack, capturing the villages of Cuitron and Marfaux. Though wounded by shell shrapnel in the back - which he pulled out himself, Ledgard remained in action for some time and personally captured seven prisoners, reputedly, with an unloaded rifle! As a result of his injuries, which were deep and became septic, he was invalided to England on 30 July. For his brave leadership while wounded he was awarded the Military Cross. Captain Ledgard was disembodied on 5 January 1919.

With copied service papers and other research.