Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain Lord Mowbray, 8th Hussars, later Grenadier Guards and Premier Baron of England

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Hon. W. M. Stourton 8th. Hussars Morcourt. 27.3.18’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. Hon. W. M. Stourton.); Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style as worn; together with the related miniature awards, these including a Defence Medal, generally very fine (4) £1,200-£1,600

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918:
‘When on patrol he came under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, but remained in touch with the enemy all day, displaying great coolness and initiative, and sending back most valuable information. It was due to his gallantry that a trooper whose horse had been shot was able to rejoin the patrol.’

William Marmaduke Stourton, 25th Baron Mowbray, 26th Baron Segrave, and 22nd Baron Stourton was born on 31 August 1895, the son of Charles Stourton, 24th Baron Mowbray &c., and a direct descendant of of Geoffrey de Mowbray, an adviser to William the Conqueror, and also of William de Mowbray, one of the 25 Barons who forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. Educated at Downside School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 8th Hussars on 23 December 1914 and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 January 1916, being promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1917. For his gallantry at Morcourt on 27 March 1918 during the first week of the German Spring Offensive he was awarded the Military Cross.

Stourton transferred to the Grenadier Guards on 11 August 1918, and was promoted Captain on 13 October 1923, before resigning his commission in 1928. He succeeded to the Baronies of Mowbray, Segrave, and Stourton upon the death of his father on 29 July 1936, and saw further service as a Captain with the Grenadier Guards during the Second World War, before being discharged from the Reserve of Officers having reached the upper age limit on 10 November 1945. He died at Claro, Yorkshire, on 7 May 1965, and was succeeded to the baronies by his son.

Sold with copied research.

For the medals awarded to the recipient’s son, see Lot 68.