A FIRST WORLD WAR MILITARY CROSS GROUP OF FOUR TO THE FIELD ...

Hammer

£800

A FIRST WORLD WAR MILITARY CROSS GROUP OF FOUR TO THE FIELD ARTILLERY. A First World War group of four comprising Military Cross, unnamed as issued, 1914-15 Star named to 2. Lieut J. Longbourne RFA, War Medal and Victory Medal named to Capt J. Longbourne. With two mentioned in dispatches oak leaves, in original packages and delivery boxes with ribbons. MC in box of issue. The medals were issued to Captain Longbourne on the 24th April 1928, they were sent to Loseley Park Near Guildford in Surrey. Captain Longbourne being related to the More-Molyneux family appears to have been living at this address at the time. John Longbourne was born in Southend, Essex, on the 21st December 1892 and died on the 23rd November 1984, he is buried in the church yard at Manaton on the northeast edge of Dartmoor. Having been a border at Radley College and then a cadet at Woolwich prior to the War he joined the Artillery as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant on the 22nd September 1914 rising to a temporary Lieutenant and later Captain. He arrived in France on the 25th July 1915 where he served with the 43rd Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. He received his Mention in Dispatches on the 15th June 1916 (Gazette p5928) from General Haig for Gallant and Distinguished conduct in the field whilst serving in France. His Military Cross was awarded as part of the King's Birthday Honours List awards published in the London Gazette on the 3rd June 1916 (p5575). In 1919 Captain Longbourne took up his place at Trinity College in Cambridge and graduated in Estate Management and History in 1922. A keen golfer and follower of country sports he had a surprising variety of different jobs which included mink breeding in British Columbia, advertising executive, hotel owner, secretary of Camberley Heath Golf Club. A contributor to Country Life, The Field and similar journals. He is best remembered as author of the book ''Hotspur the Beagle' published by Constable & Co. in 1934 under the name of John Vickerman. This story follows the life and times of 'Hotspur' from puppy to experienced hunting hound. Illustrated with sixteen charming images by Cecil Aldin, this work is still much admired by those who enjoy literature of this type. Offered for sale by a direct descendant of the recipient *Condition: As issued, paper label stuck to inside lid of MC box.