Orders, Decorations & Medals - British Groups

Lot 2942    SESSION 14 (2.30PM THURSDAY 1ST AUG)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - British Groups

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

MC GROUP OF SEVEN: Military Cross (GRI); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, - clasp - 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; General Service Medal (GVIR), - two clasps - Palestine 1945-48, Cyprus. 1943 on the reverse of the lower arm of the first medal, the second to sixth medals unnamed as issued, Major. G.W.Hawkes. M.C. R.Sussex on last medal. The first medal engraved, the last medal impressed. Swing mounted with original ribbons, these toned and one with a tear at the side, the medals with some light contact marks, otherwise very fine.

Together with,^1) Various riband bars.^2) Hat badges for The Royal Sussex Regt and two collar badges; The Lancashire Fusiliers; the Parachute Regiment and two collar badges.^3) Rank badges for Lt-Colonel.^4) Embroidered shoulder titles for Royal Sussex Regiment (2); Royal Sussex (2).^5) Embroidered shoulder patch for Royal Sussex; British Army pre 1947 4th Indian Division (4, two different sizes); British Army 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (The Iron Fist) formation badge (2).^6) Parchment certificate for appointment of Geoffrey William Hawkes as a Lieutenant from 31 October 1945, signed by King George VI.^7) English leather, glass and silver plate hip flask with viewing apertures at both sides, one side inscribed, 'Presented to/Lt.Col.G.W.Hawkes.M.C./By Warrant Officers & Sergeants/12/13th Bn.The Parachute Regiment (T.A)/1964'.^8)Programme from Colchester Garrison Church for the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Lt.Col. (Retd) Geoffrey William (Harry) Hawkes MC on 24 October 1991.^9) Some b&w photos.^MC: Supplement to LG 8/7/1943, p3086 - to Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Geoffrey William Hawkes (129367), The Royal Sussex Regiment (Shrewsbury). ^Recommendation:^'As liaison officer for HQ 7th Indian Infantry Brigade attached to 1 Royal Sussex during the night 5/6th April 1943 for the attack on the Dj El Meida Hill, north-west of Wadi Akarit, at 0954 and on the anti-tank ditch defences at 106548.^From 0040 hours 6th April the Battalion was under very heavy mortar and machine gun fire throughout the night and Captain Hawkes coolness was an example to all ranks. Just before first light seeing that fire was still coming from the right of the Battalion's objective he collected together a party of men, ordered them to fix bayonets and led them forward to clear the remainder of the objective.^This they did after some resistance and they captured several prisoners and a troop of 75mm guns. Captain Hawkes then assisted in getting these guns into action against the enemy and the right flank who were holding up the 50th Division attack. His party was then shelled and heavily fired on by machine guns. The latter he dealt with by rifle fire.^Captain Hawkes bravery, initiative, and leadership very materially contributed to the successful capture of the right of the Battalion's objective which in turn prevented fire from the area being directed on the 50 Division attack.'^Recommendation by Lt Col C.E.A. Firth for an immediate award - approved by General B.L.Montgomery, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East Forces.^Geoffrey William Hawkes was born 31 January 1920. He served with Royal Sussex Regiment, the Parachute Regiment, was with the Training Team Iraq and G.S.O.1 (Int./Pl.) Central Recce Estab. R.A.F. He died 25 September 1991 having never married.^With research.