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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 240

The Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque awarded in memory of Second Lieutenant J. D. Fowler, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, an Old Etonian and alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge, who was killed in action in November 1914

Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (John Dudley Fowler), contained within a contemporary fitted leather case with hinged front, this somewhat distressed, otherwise about extremely fine

John Dudley Fowler was born on 8 October 1892 in Camberley, Surrey, and attended Eton College before going up to Trinity College, Cambridge, from which he graduated B.A. in 1913. He appears to have been a member of the Territorial Force since at least 1912 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers in early 1914 (London Gazette, 20 January 1914 refers. Sent to join his regiment in Ireland his military career could, however, have been all too brief as his name is upon the list of those officers of the regiment who threatened to resign their commissions during the 'Curragh Incident' of 20 March 1914. Such was the strong feeling against having to go into action against the unionist Ulster Volunteers that almost all the officers of the 5th were prepared to resign, as evidenced by a telegram sent by General Sir Arthur Paget (G.O.C. Irish Command) to the War Office on the evening of 20 March:

'Officer Commanding 5th Lancers states that all officers, except two and one doubtful, are resigning their commissions today. I much fear same conditions in the 16th Lancers. Fear men will refuse to move. Regret to report Brigadier-General Gough and fifty-seven officers 3rd Cavalry Brigade prefer to accept dismissal if ordered North.'

The government eventually backed down and no military action was taken; the officers of the 5th retained their commissions and, within a few months, found themselves in France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. Second Lieutenant Fowler was reported killed in action on 30 October 1914 and, having no known grave, is commemorated upon the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medals were sent to his father at Old Dean Hall, Camberley, in 1920.

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Sold for
£270

Starting price
£110