A FIST AND SECOND WORLD WAR GALLANTRY GROUP OF SIX TO AN ENG...

Hammer

£1,500

A FIST AND SECOND WORLD WAR GALLANTRY GROUP OF SIX TO AN ENGLAND GOALKEEPER DECORATED FOR HIS BRAVERY AT PASSCHENDALE. A group of six comprising Military Cross, unnamed as issued, 1914-15 Star named to 2520 Pte J. Crabtree L.N.Lan R. War Medal and Victory Medal named to Capt J.J. Crabtree, Second World War Defence and War Medals, unnamed as issued. Mounted as worn. James Joseph (Jimmy) Crabtree (1895-1965) was born in the Lancashire town of Clitheroe, the second son of James Crabtree a Brewer from Burnley who married Margaret a Clitheroe girl in 1884. He was a pupil at Stoneyhurst College, Clitheroe and later worked as a clerk in one of the cotton mills owned by the chairman of Blackburn Rovers Football Club. He was to become a very successful goalkeeper before and after the First World War playing a total of 77 games in the Football League. Initially playing for Stonyhurst College he played for Clitheroe Amateurs and performed so well that he made ten appearances for Blackburn Rovers proir to the War, deputising in goal for the final game in 1914 when Blackburn clinched the championship. He also played in goal for England amateurs in 1914 when England beat Wales 9-1 at Home Park, Plymouth. After the War he made 60 appearances for Rochdale who played in the third Division, despite being the regular keeper, on one occasion he scored two goals whilst playing at left back. In 1924 he joined Accrington Stanley where he managed just six first team appearances. Crabtree's Military career began almost as soon as Britain entered the War, being amongst the first to volunteer joining the 1/5th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on the 5th September 1914. He left for France on the 11th February the following year and his abilities were soon recognised as he was recommended for Officer Training on the 9th October 1915. He returned to France as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 1st Loyal North Lancs. He was wounded during fighting at the Battle of Morval on the 25th September 1916, the final objective of Flers-Courcelette as part of the Battle of the Somme when this area was held by the German 1st Army. A short spell in Hospital saw him return to his unit by December and he saw further action at the Battle of Arras and then at the Third Battle of Ypres known as Passchendale. Whilst fighting at St Julien, on the 26th September 1917 his courage and leadership led to the award of the Military Cross (London Gazette 26th September 1917, p9974. The London Gazette of the 9th January 1918 p596 providing a citation:. 'For Gallantry and Distinguished Service in the Field: When his company commander had been killed and the other officer wounded, he led his company on and captured his objective in spite of heavy machine gun fire. He afterwards reorganised the company, which had suffered many casualties, and successfully consolidated his position. During the three days which followed, his splendid cheeriness and disregard for personal safety very greatly inspired his men. Four weeks later he was wounded for a second time and returned home to Britain to recover, he would not return to the fighting leaving the Army in 1919. Playing his part for a second time between 1939 and 1945 he served with the Border Regiment and was promoted from a War Substantive Captain to Captain from 1st April 1949 with seniority from the 3rd July 1940. He continued his part in football becoming a linesman and referee in later years. Married to his wife Frances he worked as Travelling representative for a brewery, perhaps his Fathers'. He died on the 1st December 1965 and is buried in his home town of Clitheroe. With the case for the Military Cross, his Amateur International blazer badge, enameled 9ct gold medal for the East Lancs Charity Cup 191-13 Blackburn Rovers, J. Crabtree, 12.19g. Ribblesdale Cricket League 9ct gold Championship medal named to J. Crabtree 1923. 12.89g. Border Regiment shoulder title and cap badge. Clitheroe school badge, Preston Catholic College silver and enamel badge and Lancashire Referees Society badge *Condition: All in good condition with only light rubbing or surface marks.