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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 238

(x) The War Medal 1939-45 attributed to Second Lieutenant M. F. Fenwick, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots, a classical scholar and poet who was Killed in Action on 19 December 1941 during the Defence of Hong Kong

War Medal 1939-45; together with Austria, Maria Theresa Thaler coin, 1780, silver, engraved in serif capitals on the obverse '1920-1941, Qui Ante Diem Periit, 2/Lt. M.F. Fenwick', Latin translates as 'He died before his time', very fine

Michael Forster Fenwick was born in London in 1920, one of two sons born to Percival Clayton Fenwick and his wife Margerie of Goring, Oxfordshire. He was Head Boy at Dulwich Preparatory School and then attended Ampleforth College. The young Fenwick was reportedly a talented poet and won a scholarship to study Classics at Lincoln College, Oxford University. Whilst at Oxford, he joined an Officer Cadet Training Corps and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 15 February 1941. He was embarked for the Far East that summer and garrisoned at Hong Kong.

Twenty-one year old Fenwick was one of many members of the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots that was killed in the vicious combat that ensued during the ill-fated defence of Hong Kong in December 1941, with his comrades who survived being taken prisoner. Initially reported missing, his family did not learn of his death until months later. Fenwick is commemorated on Sai Wan Memorial in China; sold together with copied research including full obituary published by The Ampleforth Journal.

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

Estimate

Starting price
£30