Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry
The remaining 2 1/2 squadrons and Machine Guns then attempted to dig themselves in alongside the road, and they remained there until 2pm. Lieutenant J. M. Wardell was here wounded. At 2pm our guns opened a heavy fire on the enemy’s trenches, and at 2.20pm the Essex Yeomanry and Royal Horse Guards advanced up to the right of the 10th Royal Hussars. At this moment the 10th Royal Hussars, led by Lieut.-Colonel Shearman, jumped up out of the dugouts and charged the attacking forces of the enemy. The Germans retired instantly, vacating their trenches. Both Lieut-Colonel Shearman and Captain Stewart were at this moment killed, and Major Gibbs was wounded. Major Crichton was severely wounded whilst directing the fire on the retiring enemy. He showed great gallantry, continuing to direct operations whilst lying out in the open, until he handed over command to Major the Hon. C. B. O. Mitford.’
Crichton was left out in no-man’s land with a shattered right thigh for two nights and a day before he was eventually found, brought in, and promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 15 May 1915. For this action he was awarded the D.S.O. and mentioned in despatches.
Retiring with rank of Colonel in 1923, he died at his home in North Wales in 1958, never having fully recovered from his wounds. His obituarist in the The Royal X Hussars Gazette wrote of him:
‘Had he not been wounded he would have continued to command the regiment and probably become a Brigadier. The writer was in the squadron which he commanded when first joining the regiment: a kinder, more helpful and efficient commander it would be impossible to imagine, he would have been a splendid commanding officer.’
9
A scarce Great War D.S.O. group of five awarded to Colonel S. R. A. Hankey, South Irish Horse and Remount Department, late 3rd Dragoon Guards, who was three times mentioned in despatches
Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with top bar, obverse centre loose; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. S. R. A. Hankey, 3/Dgn. Gds.) last two clasps contemporary tailor’s copies; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col. S. R. Hankey.
S.Ir.H.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Col. S. R. A. Hankey.) mounted as worn on pin brooch, very fine and better (5)
£1,800-£2,200
Provenance: Glendining’s, December 1991. D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1918:
‘For distinguished services in connection with Military Operations in France and Flanders.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916; 11 December 1917; 20 May 1918
Sandford Raymond Alers Hankey was born in 1874, the son of John Alers Hankey of Meadfoot House, Torquay. Educated at Sherborne and abroad, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 19 March 1900 and transferred to the 3rd Dragoon Guards on 27 June 1900. Promoted Lieutenant on 10 February 1901, he served with them in South Africa during the Boer War and was present at the operations in the Transvaal, May 1901, June to July 1901; operations in Orange River Colony, February 1901 to 31 May 1902; operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October 1901; operations in Cape Colony in February 1901 (Queen’s medal with 5 clasps).
Promoted Captain on 26 January 1910, he retired in 1912 and joined the South Irish Horse, Special Reserve of Officers as a Captain from which he was seconded to the Remount Department on 16 September 1914 following the outbreak of the Great War. He served as Deputy Director of Remounts, 3rd Army in France from 2 August 1915, being promoted Major on 5 February 1916 and Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on 11 December 1917. For his services during the Great War he was awarded the D.S.O. and mentioned in despatches three times.
He resigned his commission on 12 August 1920 and was granted the rank of Colonel while continuing to serve as District Remount Officer, Southern Command until 1930. He died in 1952.
Sold with copied research including pages from the War Diary of the Remount Department written and signed by Hankey.
www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)
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