THE IMPORTANT SECOND WORLD WAR MILITARY CROSS AND BAR GROUP ...

Hammer

£2,400

THE IMPORTANT SECOND WORLD WAR MILITARY CROSS AND BAR GROUP OF SEVEN TO AN ARTILLERY OFFICER WHO LEAD WITH 'GREAT DARING AND ZEAL' AND WHO ESCAPED FROM CAPTURE BY THE ENEMY. A group of seven comprising Military Cross and second award bar, dated 1943. 1939-45, Africa and Italy Stars, Defence and War Medals, all unnamed as issued and a General Service Medal 1918 - 62 with Palestine 1945-48 clasp named to Major R.S. Streatfeild R.A. Mounted as worn. Two sets of miniatures, the Africa Stars with 1st Army clasps. Uniform ribbon bar. Dress uniform and two peaked caps. An 1821 Pattern Artillery Officer's Sword and scabbard and an extensive collection of photographs, press cuttings, documents and other supporting material.
The sword an 1821 Pattern Artillery Officer's Sword with an 86.5 cm pointed, single edged fullered blade with Artillery crest to one side and Artillery lightening bolts to the other. Marked to the back 'Made in England'. With scrolling three bar guard, wire bound shagreen grip, stepped pommel and brown leather sword knot. In polished brown leather service scabbard with belt hanger and outer travelling cover. 104 cm overall.
The uniform a dress uniform with labels for Moss Bros, Covent Garden, marked for Brig R.S. Streatfeild, 1966. With the rank of Brigadier with three pips and a crown to the shoulders and red tabs to the collars. With appropriate ribbons and Elizabeth the Second buttons. With black and khaki peaked caps with red bands and beret. Also a leather swagger stick and name plate for 'Brigadier R.S. Streatfeild M.C.'
A Second World War German 'Afrikakorps' cuff title (presumably a souvenir), two shooting medals awarded to Lt. Col Streatfeild and a large collection of photographs, documents and press cuttings.

Roger Sandeforth Streatfeild (12/4/1918 - 6/12/1980) was the second son of the Reverend C.A.C. Streatfeild, Rector of Symondsbury, Bridport. His was a busy and highly decorated military career rising from a Pre-War 2nd Lieutenant and War Substantive Lieutenant on the 1st of January 1941 to Brigadier in 1964. With gallantry awards whilst fighting in North Africa and Italy he went on to a senior role as Commander of the School of Artillery. After school at Marlborough College he attended Pembroke College, Cambridge where he studied Mathematics and Law graduating MA in 1943. Following his education he immediately joined the Army. It was only a matter of months before he won his first Military Cross whilst fighting in Tunisia as part of a well recorded three day action at Djebel Bou Aoukaz,a 700 ft hill that had been taken by the Irish Guards, and during which heavy casualties were taken. The citation reads:
For outstanding courage and devotion to duty during the whole of the period of the attack and consolidation by 24 Guards Brigade from 23rd April to 4th May 1943. As Battery Commander, 96/97 Field Battery R.A., was in support of, and during this period liaised continuously in person with O.C. 1 Bn Irish Guards to whom he was of great assistance during a very unpleasant time under very heavy fire. After 1Bn Irish Guards captured Hills 212 and 214, he remained up on the hills, where he was always exposed to every type of danger, and played a conspicuous part in the Inf defence against constant enemy attacks. At one time, he was in command of the remnants of No. 1 Coy whom he led with great daring and zeal, and all these men were extremely happy at being under his command. He was cool, cheerful and heedless of danger during the whole proceedings and was a great example to the men with whom he was associated.
A couple of more 'anecdotal' accounts are included with the lot, not least one by Streatfeild himself and, Lieutenant Colin Kennard, grandson of Col T.A. Colfox of Symondsbury Manor who was well known to the Streatfeild family, who won a D.S.O. for this action. In a letter to Streatfeild's Mother Kennard described Roger as 'I can truthfully say that I have more admiration for him, than any other man I met during the campaign .. When all No 1 company's officers had been killed and wounded he took over command of the company and he proved to be a constant source of inspiration, energy, zeal and amusement to us all ... The men took an instant liking to hi, (very rare in our type of Irishman) and would do anything for him ... it was a wonderful sight to see him joking with them and keeping them in fits of laughter at such a time of strain. Roger was responsible more than anyone for the great success No 1 company had in destroying wave after wave of German infantry attacks.
His second award was in February 1944 when Captain Streatfeild was serving in Italy, during the fighting from the 26th Jan to 3rd Feb he performed his duties with extreme skill and nerve and never allowed any danger to interfere with the performance of his particular task and he was on all occasions a tower of strength in getting the artillery co-operation which I required. Lt Col C.A. Montagu-Douglas-Scott chose the events of the 4th Feb for the recommendation:
During the morning of the 4th Feb our positions were seriously threatened by the enemy who had direct observation of our Bn HQ and were shelling it with 88-mm guns. BN HQ were ordered to withdraw and contact the Scots Guards, as this decision was made, Major Streatfeild's O.P. had a direct hit. He was wounded himself and also his two wireless operators and his car was put out of action. Although wounded he continued to man the wireless himself calling for smoke to cover our withdrawal. This smoke proved most useful to us. Major Streatfeild moved with Bn HQ and with them was captured in a small gulley before contact could be made with the Scots Guards. Shortly afterwards he escaped and along with four other officers and about a dozen men began to fight he way back to our lines, and eventually managed to reach some of our carriers. It was decided to make a dash through the positions now held by the enemy in three of these carriers. Major Streatfeild drove the second one, and stopped on the way to pick up Major Sir Ian Stewart-Richardson, who was badly wounded. ... Never once did Major Streatfeild complain of his wound. ... His initiative was largely responsible for making good the escape of the other officers and men who came with him. (Gazetted 15th June 1944 p2852).
Peactime saw continual rise through the ranks and eventually, as a Brigadier he was commandant of the United Kingdom's School of Artillery at Larkhill. In later civilian years Brigadier Streatfeild was a well respected county councilor and chairman of Oxfordshire Education Committee 'A tough no nonsense man determined to do his very best for the county's education.
With copies of the London Gazette 21/9/43 confirming the MC and 5/11/1957 confirming Brevet Lt-Col. Commissions 27th August 1938 Second Lieutenant and 6th Feb 1946 Rank of Lieutenant. Letter confirming promotion to Lt-Col from March 28th 1961.
Married to Edith Mary Streatfeild in 1942.

More Information

Medals as issued and worn.
Sword with some light marking to blade, scabbard and hanger in very good condition.
Uniform with some moth damage, but generally nice state as worn.
Accompanying photographs and documents in mixed but generally very good condition.