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Auction: 9004 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 937

A Fine Great War C.B., C.M.G., ´1916, Battle of the Bluff´ D.S.O. [and Bar] Group of Seven to Brigadier-General F.E. Metcalfe, Who Commanded the 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, 1916-18, Including During the Battle of the Somme, and Was Thrice Wounded and Thrice Mentioned in Despatches, Before Being Promoted to the Command of the 76th Brigade a) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion´s (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel b) The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion´s (C.M.G.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel c) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, centres loose, with integral top riband bar d) 1914-15 Star (Major F.E. Metcalfe, Linc. R.) e) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaves (Brig. Gen. F.E. Metcalfe.) f) France, Republic, Legion of Honour, Chevalier´s breast Badge, silver and enamel, minor enamel damage to last, generally very fine or better unless otherwise stated (7) Estimate £ 2,800-3,200 C.B. London Gazette 3.6.1919 T/Lt.-Col. (T./Brig.-Gen.) Francis Edward Metcalfe, C.M.G., D.S.O., Gen. List, New Armies. ´´For valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in France and Flanders.´´ C.M.G. London Gazette 4.6.1917 Temp. Lt.-Col. Francis Edward Metcalfe, D.S.O., Linc. R. ´´For services rendered in connection with Military Operations in the Field.´´ D.S.O. London Gazette 3.6.1916 Temp. Maj. (Temp. Lt.-Col.) Francis Edward Metcalfe, temply. Comdg. Serv. Bn., Linc. R. D.S.O. Second Award Bar London Gazette 26.7.1918 T./Lt.-Col. Francis Edward Metcalfe, C.M.G., D.S.O., Linc. R. ´´For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the defence of a position. By his skilful leadership and ability, his battalion succeeded in beating off six determined attacks by the enemy. He personally directed his battalion during the operation, when his courage and cheerfulness were the greatest inspiration to the entire garrison.´´ France, Legion of Honour, Chevalier, London Gazette 29.1.1919 Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Edward Metcalfe, C.M.G., D.S.O., Lincolnshire Regiment (Service Battalion). ´´For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign.´´ Brigadier-General Francis Edward Metcalfe, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. (1878-1934), of Metcalfe Park, Co. Kildare, Ireland; educated at Malvern School; commissioned Veterinary Lieutenant, Staff Corps, Indian Army, 25.2.1905; Captain 5.5.1909; transferred as Temporary Captain from the North Bengal Mounted Rifles to the 7th (Service) Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, 12.10.1914; served during the Great War as Acting Staff Captain 51st Infantry Brigade, December 1914 - February 1915, before returning as Major and Second in Command of the 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, he served with them in the French Theatre of War, from July 1915; he was in action with the battalion during the Battle of The Bluff (Ypres area), February-March 1916, for which he is noted as being awarded his D.S.O., he is quoted as saying, ´´I have always regarded the concentrated gun fire put down on us by the Germans during and after our recapture of The Bluff as the heaviest bombardment I have ever experienced´´; during the latter action the battalion suffered 1 officer and 33 other ranks killed, and 5 officers and 178 other ranks wounded; appointed Lieutenant-Colonel whilst in command of battalion from 15.4.1916-19.5.1916; served with the battalion as part of the 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division during the Battle of the Somme, July-November 1916, including action at Fricourt and Delville Wood; Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel 1.8.1916; commanded battalion from 15.8.1916; he received a wound to the back, at St. Nicholas, north-east of Arras, 23.3.1917; he was wounded again, 23.4.1917, when the battalion were in action as part of the Second Battle of the Scarpe in the attacks on Bayonet and Rifle Trench; the 7th Battalion suffered 3 officers killed, 6 officers wounded, 22 other ranks killed and 98 wounded; appointed Temporary Brigadier-General, whilst in command of 51st Infantry Brigade, a post that he held on and off: October-November 1917, January 1918, and July and August of the same year; wounded in the back from aircraft fire during the first Battle of Bapaume, Somme, 24.3.1918; invalided back to England for recuperation 19.6.1918, returning to the front the following month; Temporary Brigadier-General Officer Commanding 76th Brigade, 4.10.1918 (Thrice M.I.D. London Gazette 15.6.1916; 22.5.1917 and 27.12.1918); retired 16.9.1919; after the Great War Metcalfe was appointed as the Managing Director of Lagonda Ltd (perhaps now better known as Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd) and he entered 4 cars for the company into Le Mans in 1928. The Lincolnshire Regimental Collection held by Lincolnshire County Council have a number of Warrants, letters, mentioned in despatches, war diary entries, and a photograph all relating to Metcalfe. Included in the archives is a letter to him with 24 signatures from the 7th Battalion dated 4.10.1918.

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£5,500