A good Great War Western Front Military Cross group awarded to Second Lieutenant C.R. Fenton, Royal Field Artillery, later Royal Air Force who saw service on the Western Front from 26th July 1915, being awarded a Military Cross in the London Gazette of 18th October 1917, with the citation later being published on 5th March 1918, and awarded for his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a forward observation officer during an action, when in spite of heavy casualties to his party, he pushed forward, maintaining visual communication and was able to send back valuable information of the progress of the infantry and counter attacks by the enemy. He would later transfer to the Royal Air Force where he served with 52 Squadron and performed Physical Training duties at R.A.F. Cranwell and R.A.F. Halton. After relinquishing his commission on 17th December 1920 he would then emigrate to East Africa living in Kenya.
Group of 4: Military Cross, GVR cypher, 1914-1915 Star; (2. LIEUT. C.R. FENTON. R.F.A.) British War Medal and Victory Medal; (LIEUT. C.R. FENTON.) Loose-mounted for wear.
Condition: loose-mounted as worn, Good Very Fine
Charles Rowland Fenton initially saw service with the Royal Field Artillery on the Western Front from 26th July 1915 and would be wounded on 12th November 1917, this being confirmed in War Office Daily List No. 5414. He would be awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 18th October 1917, but with the citation appearing in the Gazette on 5th March 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as forward observation officer during an action. In spite of heavy casualties to his party he pushed forward, maintained visual communication, and was able to send back valuable information of the progress of the infantry and counter attacks by the enemy.’
He would transfer to the Royal Air Force on 17th June 1918 and would see service with 52 Squadron before the end of the war, and would also see service at R.A.F. Cranwell, as well as at R.A.F. Halton where he would undertake physical training duties. He would resign his commission on 17th December 1920 but retained his rank of Lieutenant.
Fenton would then travel to East Africa, applying for his medals on 13th July 1922, they subsequently being sent to Tucan River Estate, Thika, Kenya Colony, South Africa.
