Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 282

A very fine campaign group awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel M. H. C. France, 2/13th Frontier Force Rifles, later Wing Commander, Royal Air Force Regiment, who was twice 'mentioned' and wounded during his career

India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. M. H. C. France, 2-13 F. F. Rif.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War and India Service Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, S. E. Asia 1945-46, Malaya, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. M. H. C. France. 2. F. F. Rif.), mounted court-style as worn by Spink & Son, St James's, traces of lacquer, very fine (7)

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 January 1938 (Waziristan, 25 November 1936-16 January 1937). Probably for the following action from the Official History of Operations:

'On the 9th, the Razmak Brigade moved down the Khaisora to camp (1584413) near Zerpezai. They met with a little opposition whilst going into camp and were sniped during the early hours of the night. The Bannu Brigade when camping near Dakai Kalai experienced some difficulty in establishing a camp piquet on the north bank (192404). At 14-00 hours, A Company (less one platoon) 2/13 Frontier Force Rifles was ordered to occupy this position and establish a platoon piquet there. On arrival, it was found that the position was commanded by a ridge about four hundred yards away and that there was broken and dead ground right up to the piquet position. All three platoons of the company would be required to hold the extended position necessary to cover the dead ground. A fourth platoon arrived at about 15-30 hours from the battalion reserve, and this platoon was all that was available to construct the piquet defences. Soon after 15-00 hours heavy and accurate fire was opened from the north and north east, causing some casualties, and a party of tribesmen, under cover of this fire, were seen moving into broken ground about three hundred yards from the position. About an hour later a platoon of machine guns arrived, and with them an artillery observation officer from the 12 Mountain Battery. The machine guns came into action, and the artillery engaged the enemy until they came so close that fire could no longer be continued without danger to the troops. A close support aircraft was also in action.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 September 1951 (Malaya, Acting Wing Commander).

Maitland Hassan Cole France was born on 2 October 1911, the son of Dr W. H. France, of Selston, Nottinghamshire and was educated at Oakham School, 1923-30. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant into the Lincolnshire Regiment from the Oakham Contingent in July 1933 and transferred into the Indian Army on 31 August 1934, being promoted Lieutenant on 30 November 1936, serving on the North West Frontier in this rank (Medal & clasp, M.I.D.). He was advanced Captain on 20 April 1940 and Major or 2 November 1943, serving during the Second World War in Africa, being wounded (Oakham Register, refers), also serving in Burma.

France is mentioned in Road Past Mandalay by John Masters:

'A tall officer stood on the platform, watching it pull in. His tunic was a peculiarly dark shade of khaki barathea, his shirt even darker. He stood in an aristocratic stoop, his feet at what appeared to be an impossible angle to each other, and his face wore an expression of great ennui. I leaped out of the train and slapped him on the back. "Maitland," I cried. "My God, we haven't met since we came out together in the Nevasa in '34, have we? And what's this?" I fingered his tunic. "Have you joined the Coldstream?" (By then I had recognized the very dark khaki as that affected by H.M. Foot Guards when uncouth circumstances force them to get out of their red coats.) Captain Maitland France of the Frontier Force Rifles, Indian Army, examined his fingernails. "No," he said, "I just prefer the shade."

Maitland always liked to choose a good pose, and stick to it. Then the man he was waiting for came up, and it turned out that they were both for the course, too, so we shared a taxi up to the Staff College at the far end of Quetta.'

He commanded the 2nd Frontier Force Rifles in the South-East Asia operations (Medal & clasp), which would have seen him present during the famous events at the Battle of Surabaya. Confirmed in his rank on 15 October 1948, he transferred to the Royal Air Force Regiment in 1949 and was 'mentioned' for his services in Malaya in 1951 (clasp). France retired on 2 October 1966; sold together with a bound book with copied research, from which this biography has been prepared.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,500

Starting price
£550