Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Second Award Bar awarded to Major H. S. Lewis, Royal Sussex Regiment and Tank Corps

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse of the Cross contemporarily engraved ‘Lt. H. S. Lewis. 11th. Royal Sussex Regt. Givenchy 10th. April 1916.’, the reverse of the Bar contemporarily engraved ‘Ypres Salient 31st. July 1917.’, on original mounting pin, in case of issue, about extremely fine £1,000-£1,400

M.C. London Gazette 24 June 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry when leading a patrol. After his party had been discovered and fired at by machine-guns he coolly completed his reconnaissance under heavy fire. With two lance-corporals he carried back a wounded man of his party under the same heavy fire. He has shown complete contempt of danger.’

M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 26 September 1917, citation published 9 January 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when adjutant of the battalion. Throughout the operations he rendered his battalion commander most excellent service. When the battalion was counter-attacked he passed along the line encouraging and directing his men by his cheerfulness and contempt for danger. Though rendered unconscious by a shell he remained at duty on regaining consciousness he set a magnificent example to all.’

Henry Steedman Lewis attested for the Inns of Court Officer’s Training Corps on 31 December 1914, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment on 31 March 1915. He served during the Great War with the 11th (Service) Battalion, as part of 116th Brigade, 39th Division, on the Western Front from 1916, was wounded in action, and was twice decorated for his gallantry. Promoted Captain on 13 February 1917, he subsequently transferred to the Tank Corps and retired with the rank of Major. Following the War he emigrated to Brazil, and did not claim his British War and Victory Medals until 1934.

Note: An unnamed M.C. and Bar, together with the recipient’s British War and Victory Medals, both named Major H. S. Lewis, were sold in these rooms in May 2017.

Sold with the two original telegrams summoning the recipient to Buckingham Palace for the two M.C. investitures, dated 4 October 1916 and 29 May 1918; and War Office copies of the official citations, with accompanying War Office letter addressed to the recipient and dated 11 January 1935, these all laminated.