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Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 186

x The India General Service 1854-95 Medal to Lieutenant, Later Lieutenant-Colonel, F.W. Lethbridge [D.S.O], 5th Gurkha Regiment; Who Was Severely Wounded During the Suvla Bay Operations, 6.8.1915, and Commanded the 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington´s Regiment, 1917-19 India General Service 1854-95, one clasp, Hazara 1891 (Lt. F.W. Lethbridge 2d Bn. 5 Gurkha Regt.), partially officially corrected, nearly extremely fine Estimate £ 350-400 D.S.O. London Gazette 27.10.1918 T./Maj. (A./Lt.-Col.) Francis Washington Lethbridge, W. Rid.R. ´´For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was successful in leading his battalion through heavy fire to attack, capture and hold the furthest objective. By his presence in the front line, both during the attack and subsequent counter-attacks, the position was maintained and consolidated. His fine example imbued all ranks with enthusiasm.´´ Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Washington Lethbridge, D.S.O. (1867-1939), eldest son of Sir Roper Lethbridge, K.C.I.E.; educated at Charterhouse, Exeter College Oxford and R.M.C. Sandhurst; commissioned Second Lieutenant East Kent Regiment, 1887; transferred Indian Army 1888; Lieutenant 5th Gurkha Regiment and served with them during the Black Mountain Campaign, 1891 and the Hassanzai Expedition the following year; Captain 1898; retired 1901; re-engaged for service during the Great War as a Captain 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington´´s Regiment, 14.9.1914; served in the Gallipoli theatre of war and took part in the operation´´s at Suvla Bay (where he was severely wounded), 6.8.1915, ´´the landing took place on B beach without opposition. Soon after landing they were pushed on with the remainder of 32nd Brigade to support of the 34th Brigade, which was held up by another outpost of the enemy on Hill 10, and it is feared that some of our losses incurred here were due to misdirected fire; however, the 8th Battalion fought with great pluck and grit against an enemy not very numerous, perhaps, but having an immense advantage in knowledge of the ground. As they got level with Hill 10 it grew light enough to see, and the enemy began to shell. In the attack on Hill 10 Captain Lethbridge (now commanding the 10th Battalion in France) led his company with great bravery and skill, quite regardless of any danger´´ (Regimental History of the Great War refers); after a brief period with the 3rd Battalion, 1916, he rejoined the 8th Battalion as Acting Major and Second in Command in the French Theatre of War, April 1917; Lieutenant-Colonel, Officer Commanding, 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington´´s Regiment, 1917-19 (D.S.O.; Thrice Mentioned in Despatches; Al Valore Militare, Silver; Italian Military Cross); Officer Commanding British Troops, Calais, 1919; Officer in Charge of Demobilisation, Europe and the Near East, 1919-20; retired 1920

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