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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 308

An M.C. winner's group of four awarded to awarded to Lieutenant W. W. Deacon, 1/5th Battalion, Royal Lancaster Regiment, who was twice wounded during his acts of gallantry, only to later be killed in action by a shell

1914 Star (8 Pte., W. W. Deacon 5/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. W. Deacon); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (William Warren Deacon), medals mounted for wear, good very fine (4)

Provenance:
DNW September 2006.

M.C. London Gazette 17 July 1917, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry. During an attack by his battalion he showed the greatest courage and initiative, and was mainly responsible for the objective being gained and maintained under heavy fire and against several counter attacks. He was twice wounded, but refused to give in, setting a splendid example of determination to all ranks.'

William Warren Deacon was born in Hounslow, Middlesex in April 1888, the son of Joseph and Sarah Deacon. Educated at St. Paul's School and Imperial College, South Kensington, he appears on the memorial roll for the University of London O.T.C. Graduating, Deacon undertook work as a Civil Engineer but enlisted into the 5th City of London Rifles on 7 August 1914 with the service number '8'.

He disembarked in France on 4 November 1914 and applied for a commission and was accepted into an Officer Cadet programme. Commissioned into the 5th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) in 1916, Deacon's act of gallantry occurred at Arras on 11 April 1917, as the Battalion war diary notes, stating:

'These men retained possession of the this trench [SIC] as did also Capt. Gravett, ably assisted by 2nd Lt Deacon (being the only two officers left) and C.S.M. Webster with 60 men, made themselves masters of the situation of the corresponding trench running northwards from the Cambrai road.'

Deacon had been twice wounded during the action and was sent to recover in Oswestry Military Hospital. He returned to his unit but was tragically killed in action on 23 August 1918, again the war Diary refers, stating:

'During the night the enemy shelled Tramway House killing 'B' Coy. commander Lt. W. W. Deacon. His death was instantaneous, a direct hit on the dugout, which he was occupying at the time.'

Deacon was buried in the Houchin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, sold together with copied service papers and other research as well as original research comprising a telegram requesting his attendance at Buckingham Palace, three postcards, including one of Lieutenant H. N. Roberts, 10th Battalion King's Own Regiment, sent to Deacon (Roberts was killed in action the following month at Arras), a cap badge and two pips.

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Estimate

Starting price
£210