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Auction: 22102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction VI - e-Auction
Lot: 359

Pair: 2nd Lieutenant H. V. Fernshawe, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards late Artist's Rifle, Maulman Volunteer Rifles and Rangoon Volunteer Rifles, who was mortally wounded at 'The Broembeek' during the battle of Poelcapelle on 9 October and died on 11 October 1917

British War and Victory Medals (2, Lieut. H. V. Fanshawe.), mounted court style for display, sometime cleaned, minor contact wear otherwise very fine (2)

Harvey Vernon Fanshawe was born at Bedford on 1 June 1891, the son of John and Agnes Fanshawe of 9 Kenilworth Road, Ealing. His father worked as a Police Officer in Burma and Fanshawe is listed as a Merchant for the Rice Department in Burma at the time of enlistment. Enlisting with Rangoon Volunteer Rifles on 5 August 1914 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the Maulman Volunteer Rifles, resigning in January 1916 and returning to Britain on 14 June 1916. Enlisting with the 2nd Battalion, Artists Rifles on 13 October 1916 he soon applied for a Commission. Having transferred to No. 15 Officer Cadet Battalion at Hare Hall in September 1916 he was Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Irish Guards on 28 November 1916.

Posted to 1st Battalion, Irish Guards he joined them on 30 March 1917. They entered the line during the Battle of Passchendeale at Boesinghe on 1 July 1917 and suffered heavy losses as a result of heavy shelling and gas attacks. The 1st Battalion remained here until late August when the Battalion was sent south to support 3rd Guards Brigade opposite Houthulst Forest.

1st Battalion formed part of the second wave during the opening actions of the Battle of Poelcapelle on 9 October 1917. Moving off to support the first wave of Grenadier Guards and Coldstream Guards from Abri Wood they advanced towards Houlthurst Forest at 08:55. The attack became bogged down and enemy snipers took a heavy toll, particularly amongst the officers however the Battalion managed to consolidate most the gains of the day. A counter-attack pushed back the troops on their right and some of the gains of the day were lost but the line held until they were relieved.

Fanshawe was wounded severely during the fighting and, despite being evacuated successfully to 61st Casualty Clearing Station (South Midlands CCS) near Westvleteren, he died on 11 October 1917. He is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery; sold together with copied research including Commonwealth War Graves details, M.I.C. and census data as well as copied extracts relating to the recipient including one from the unpublished book There Honour Comes and an extract from The Irish Guards by Rudyard Kipling.

Further entitled to the Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque.

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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£110