A 1945 Mediterranean Theatre Mentioned in Despatches group of six to Major H. J. French, General List, who served in the 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment, during the Great War and suffered Gunshot Wounds to the leg in action at ‘High Wood’ on 15 September 1915.
Group of Six: British War and Victory Medals (4415 PTE. H. J. FRENCH, 15-LOND. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star with 1st Army clasp; Italy Star; WW2 War Medal with M.I.D. emblem, mounted swing-style as worn.
Condition: Light contact wear, Good Very Fine.
Sold with the recipient’s dog tag, King’s Badge, and pair of slip-on major’s cloth shoulder rank insignia.
Mentioned In Despatches London Gazette 21 June 1945.
Harry Joseph France was born in the parish of Dunbarton, Dunbartonshire, and living in Southend-On-Sea, Essex at the time of his enlistment. A clerk by profession, he enlisted into the Civil Service Rifles on 6 September 1915, aged 18 years, 8 months. He embarked for France on 12 June 1916 and was wounded in action during the fierce fighting at High Wood on 9 September, 1916, suffering gunshot wounds to the right thigh. He was invalided home on 29 September and did not see overseas service again during the war, being discharged to Reserve on 3 March, 1919.
Following the outbreak of the Second War, French again volunteered for service and received a commission into the General List. He subsequently saw overseas service with the 8th Army in North Africa and then in Italy where he was Mentioned in Despatches for ‘gallant and distinguished service.’
