Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 44
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Colonel J. P Kellett, D.S.O and Bar, London Regiment, later Wiltshire Regiment, who commanded the 1st/2nd Battalion, London Regiment during the Great War, and was four times Mentioned in Despatches
Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. J. P. Kellett. 2/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. J. P. Kellett) the Star gilded, with traces of lacquer to all, edge bruise to last, otherwise good very fine (4) £800-£1,200
D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1918.
D.S.O. Second Award Bar London Gazette 1 February 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and able leading of his battalion on 27th September, 1918, at the crossing of the Canal du Nord during the attack near Oisy-le-Verger. The villages and enclosed ground were occupied by a large number of machine-gun posts, which threatened to hold up a rather thin attack. ; By quick and skilful manoeuvring he reduced the centres of resistance one after the other, capturing a number of prisoners well in excess of his own losses.’
M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1916.
John Philip Kellett was born on 28 July 1890 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd (City of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) on 29 August 1914. He commanded the Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 May to 16 August 1917 and again from January 1918 until the cessation of hostilities. Twice wounded, for his services during the Great War he was four times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes, 24 December 1917, 25 May 1918, 30 December 1918, and 10 July 1919), and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order with Second Award Bar, and the Military Cross.
Kellett remained in the army after the War and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel with the Wiltshire Regiment in August 1939. He retired in 1943 with the honorary rank of Colonel.
45
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. pair awarded to Lieutenant H. S. Ewen, London Regiment, who was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, and was later killed in action on the last day of the Spring Offensive at the Battle of Ancre on 5 April 1918
Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in case of issue; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. H. S. Ewen.) nearly extremely fine (2)
£600-£800
M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1918” ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He organised and supervised the construction of a communication trench under heavy shell fire. Though he was twice badly shaken by bursting shells, he showed great courage and disregard of danger, and encouraged his men, when casualties were caused among them, by his splendid example.’
Henry Spencer Ewen, of Sevenoaks, Kent, arrived in France in October 1916 and was serving with the 1/23rd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment in 1917 when he was awarded the Military Cross on 8 December 1917 for actions west of Graincourt. He was killed in action at the Battle of Ancre on 5 April 1918, the very last day of the German Spring Offensive. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
The Battle of Ancre came on day 15 of the German Spring offensive or Kaiserschlacht. Codenamed Operation Michael, the Spring offensive was a series of German attacks along the Western Front co-ordinated by General Erich Ludendorff. Having suffered a series of setbacks the Germans realised their only chance of victory was to throw everything they could at the allies before the full might of the incoming USA forces could be mobilised. Commencing on March 21 with a huge artillery bombardment the Germans were Initially successful and for nearly two weeks they pushed the British and allied troops back, however, the advance faltered on April 4 when an attack on Amiens failed to capture the town. The following day the Germans attempted to renew the attack but failed and, by early morning, the British had succeeded in driving them back; realising the futility of continuing, Ludendorff called off the offensive. The 23rd London Regiment include the Battle of Ancre amongst their battle honours.
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