Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of seven miniature dress medals representative of those worn by Private G. Stringer, Manchester Regiment

Victoria Cross; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Serbia, Kingdom, Bravery Medal, gold, mounted for wear, gilding rubbed on last, good very fine (7) £80-£100

V.C. London Gazette 5 August 1916:
‘For most conspicuous bravery and determination. After the capture of an enemy position, he was posted on the extreme right of the Battalion in order to guard against any hostile attack. His battalion was subsequently forced back by an enemy counter-attack, but Private Stringer held his ground single-handed and kept back the enemy till all his hand-grenades were expended. His very gallant stand saved the flank of his battalion and rendered a steady withdrawal possible.’

Serbian Medal for Bravery in Gold London Gazette 15 February 1917.

George Stringer was born in Manchester on 24 July 1889 and joined the Lancashire Fusilier Volunteers in 1905. Just prior to the Great War he attested for the Manchester Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War, initially on the Western Front from 21 July 1915, before proceeding to Mesopotamia in January 1916. For his gallantry during the Battle of Es Sinn on 8 March 1916, as part of he effort to relieve the besieged garrison at Kut-el-Amara, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Subsequently Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 19 October 1916) and awarded the Serbian Medal for Bravery in Gold, he was later wounded and developed enteric fever. He returned to the U.K. in June 1917 and was discharged a a result of his wounds. He died in Oldham on 22 November 1957.

Stringer’s Victoria Cross and other medals are in the collection of the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

Sold with a Manchester Regiment cap badge, metal unit title, and a photographic image of the recipient.