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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 541

(x) An interesting campaign group of five awarded to Acting Squadron Leader H. C. Ferens, C.B.E., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery, Mayor of Durham and a pillar of the local community

British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. H. C. Ferens); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Cadet Forces Medals, G.VI.R. (Act. Sqn. Ldr. H. C. Ferens. R.A.F.V.R. (T)), very fine (5)

[C.B.E.] London Gazette 2 June 1973.

Henry Cecil Ferens was born at Durham on 31 January 1899, the son of Henry and Edith Ferens of 1 Field House Terrace, Durham. He was educated at Durham School before matriculating to Emmanuel College, Cambridge however his career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Great War. Commissioned Lieutenant with the Royal Garrison artillery on 21 January 1918, Ferens entered the was in France on 24 March 1918.

After the war he returned to his previous life, joining his father's law firm he soon became a Director of Reif, Ferens & Co. Ferens formed a company of the Church Lads Brigade at St. Aidan's, Framwellgate Moor in 1924 and his attachment to the Church appears to have developed from there. Appointed Legal Secretary to the bishop of Durham in 1929 he was later appointed Registrar to the Archdeacons of Durham and Auckland in 1932. His final appointment before the Second World War was as Honorary Secretary to the Durham Diocesan Board of Finance in 1937.

Ferens appears on the 1939 census as a member of the 'Observer Corps' however he was later posted to the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force on 25 February 1941 as Pilot Officer. Advanced Flying Officer prior to the end of the war he remained in the reserve afterwards, after being demobilised. Entering politics as a Councillor and Alderman of the city, he was elected Mayor of Durham in 1947.

He was appointed Deputy Durham Diocesan Registrar in 1948, a role he was to hold until the next year when he became Durham Diocesan Registrar. Finally discharged from the reserve on 26 February 1961 he retained the rank of Squadron Leader on doing so. Appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 1965 Ferens continued to work in a variety of places, commanding the North-Eastern Church Lads Brigade camp for nearly twenty-five years. He was a member of the council of Durham University, Governor of a number of local schools and charities and was heavily involved in local sports. Not only that but Ferens was also captain of both Durham City and Durham County Cricket Clubs.

Ferens died on 4 June 1975, leaving over £100,000 in his will, large amounts of which went to the city. Notably £1,000 was sent to the St. Aidens Church Lads Brigade and £2,000 for the Society for the Benefit of Durham School. Ferens' name lives on in the Durham Football Stadium, Ferens Park, which was built on land he donated club; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£270

Starting price
£110