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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 589

A remarkable Sniper's M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant A. E. S. Crosse, Special Reserve of Officers, attached 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who commanded his Battalion's snipers in battle despite having lost an eye whilst an enlisted man in 1916

Military Cross, unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (1396 Sjt. A. E. S. Crosse. R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. E. S. Crosse.), mounted on a felt backing, good very fine (4)

M.C. London Gazette 16 August 1917, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of the battalion snipers, and handled his men with great courage and ability. Later, he took command of a company and led it in the assault with the utmost gallantry under very heavy fire.'

Arthur Ernest Selby Crosse was born at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire on 24 March 1916, the son of Margaret and the Venerable Archdeacon Edmond Crosse. Attesting on 13 September 1914 he was advanced Sergeant on 21 April 1915. Crosse was present for the Battle of Loos but was severely wounded on 6 December 1915 and evacuated to England with Multiple Gunshot Wounds.

His pension records give details as to what happened, shrapnel from a nearby shell burst had struck his right eye, along with a number of other wounds. Remarkably Crosse survived this experience however he never recovered use of the eye and made use of an artificial replacement, notably the vision in his left eye was recorded as '6/6.

While in England he joined an officer cadet unit and was commissioned Secnd Lieutenant on 4 August 1916 being posted to the 13 Battalion. He was further advanced Lieutenant on 5 February 1918, serving on at least one occasion as a company commander.

Crosse survived the war and had his medals issued on 7 July 1921. Settling at Worksop he was working as a Solicitors Magistrates Clerk in 1939. He died there on 4 September 1959, sold together with copied research.

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Estimate

Starting price
£420