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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 437

A fine 'pre-war Territorial' and Long Service group of seven awarded to Lieutenant H. Abercromby, 14th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish), who saw additional Great War service with the Royal Flying Corps before returning to the fold for further active duty with the Gordon Highlanders during the Second World War

1914 Star, Bar (1299 L. Cpl. H. Abercromby. 14/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1299 Sjt. H. Abercromby. 14-Lond. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, unnamed as issued; Territorial Force Efficiency, G.V.R. (1299 Sjt: H. Abercromby. 14/Lond: R.); Territorial Efficiency, G.VI.R. (Lt. H. Abercromby. Gordons.), mounted for wear, good very fine (7)

Harold Abercromby, of Sculcoates, Yorkshire, was born in 1888 and had a very long and varied military career - by the age of 20 he had already spent time in the 1st Volunteer Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment and the 2nd East Riding of Yorkshire Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers. Noted on his Attestation papers as a 'Music Compositor', whilst residing in London upon the outbreak of the Great War he once again joined the Colours - this time with the 14th London Regiment.
Serving with the 1st Battalion London Scottish in France from 15 September 1914 as a member of 'H' Company, Abercromby must have played his part in their famous action at Messines on 31 October of that year in which the battalion gained a great name for themselves for their bravery and tenacity against overwhelming numbers of German troops. Rising to the rank of Sergeant, Abercromby later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and concluded the Great War as a Sergeant in the newly-formed Royal Air Force. Clearly ever-keen to 'do his bit', by 1939 he was serving as an Acting-Sergeant (Regimental Number 139657) in the Middlesex Regiment and was subsequently commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders (London Gazette 12 July 1940, refers). Due to his advancing age he does not appear to have been sent on active service and had been promoted Lieutenant by war's end. Later awarded the Efficiency Medal (Territorial) (London Gazette 30 July 1948, refers). Abercromby died on 10 March 1951.

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Sold for
£900

Starting price
£280