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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 641

A Great War M.C. group of five to Major R. J. Hartley, Ceylon Planter's Rifles, late London Regiment attached Machine Gun Corps

Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (Major R. J. Hartley.); Coronation 1937; Territorial Decoration G.V.R., Ceylon (Major R. J. Hartley. M.C. C.P.R.C.), engraved naming, mounted as worn, very fine (5)

M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer by his coolness and cheerfulness in exceptionally trying circumstances materially assisted in holding up the enemy's advance for three days. Although he was wounded early on, he continued on duty in the firing line after having his wounds dressed. He was very useful in covering withdrawal's and maintaining the men's morale.'

Roger James Hartley was born on 28 October 1892 at Tower Hill, City of London, his father was James Housden Hartley who was a wholesale tea merchant by trade. Hartley was commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 6th (City of London) Battalion London Regiment and entered the war in France in December 1916 where he was seconded to the Machine Gun Corps. Promoted to Lieutenant on 9 October 1917 and to Acting Major, London Regiment T.F. on 1 July 1918. He became Temporary Major - Lt (Acting Captain) R. J. Hartley M.C. (Lond R. T.F.) on 11 December 1918 (Effect from 27 October 1918) and relinquished the acting rank of Major on ceasing to command of Company with Effect 10 June 1919. Hartley was restored to establishment on ceasing to be employed with the Machine Gun Corps (London Gazette 18 May 1920 with Effect from 19 May 1920) and resigned his commission on 3 February 1921 and was granted the rank of Major on 2 February 1921.

Upon leaving the Army, Hartley travelled to Ceylon as a tea planter based at Columbo and was additionally noted as serving as a Captain in No. 4 Company Ceylon Planters Rifles in 1928. He returned to Plymouth from Colombo on the M.V. Staffordshire on 22 May 1936 and again on 19 May 1939 aboard the S.S. Oxfordshire. He embarked on the Stirling Castle from Southampton to Bombay on 2 December 1946. It is therefore likely that he spent the whole of the Second World War based in the United Kingdom. Hartley died on 4 March 1986 at Weald Hall, Mayfield Lane, Wadhurst, East Sussex; sold together with an assortment of copied research including London Gazette entries.


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Sold for
£1,500

Starting price
£700