Morton & Eden

Auction 110  –  18 - 19 November 2020

Morton & Eden, Auction 110

Medals, Orders and Decorations including the Griesbach Collection Part 1

Part 1: We, 18.11.2020, from 11:30 AM CET
Part 2: Th, 19.11.2020, from 11:30 AM CET
The auction is closed.

Description

*The Military Cross and Albert Medal Pair awarded to Captain Charles William Fiske, 5th Battalion East Kent Regiment, who was awarded the Albert Medal for saving the life of a man during bombing practice at Margate whose live bomb had failed to clear the parapet. Frozen to the spot in fear, Captain Fiske ran back and seized the man and forced him into a corner, covering him with his own body, and receiving wounds in both thighs in the process of saving his life, comprising: Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, with original fitted case of issue; Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land, in bronze and enamel, reverse engraved ‘Presented by His Majesty to Lieut (temp Captain) Charles William Fiske, 5th Battalion East Kent Regiment, For Gallantry in Saving Life at Margate on the 14th December, 1917.’, in original fitted case of issue bearing G.V.R. cypher; With original set of miniature group of four, mounted upon bar; Pair loose, toned extremely fine (3). M.C.: London Gazette: 8 March 1919. A.M.: London Gazette: 20 March, 1918 – ‘On the 14th December, 1917, while bombing practice was being carried out at Margate under the supervision of Captain Fiske, a man threw a live bomb which failed to clear the parapet and fell back into the pit. Captain Fiske at once placed himself under cover expecting that the man would do likewise. On finding, however, that the man had lost his head and was unable to move, Captain Fiske ran back into the pit, seized the man, forced him into a corner and covered him with his own body. In the subsequent explosion Captain Fiske was wounded in both thighs. Captain Fiske by his gallant action undoubtedly saved the man from death or severe injury.’ Charles William Fiske (1877-1970) was born on 4 August 1877 at Rainham, Kent, the son of Alfred Fiske and Eliza Fiske (née Wright). He grew up in Kent and was a keen sportsman in his youth, taking up tennis, golf and rowing. He worked as an Assistant School Master living in Gillingham Kent (as shown by the 1911 Census) and during the great war he served with the 5th Battalion East Kent Regiment. It was while on home duty that he was awarded the Albert Medal for saving the life of a soldier being trained in the use of bombs (or grenades). With his quick thinking, he was able to remove the soldier, who had frozen in fear, toward a sheltered area, although Captain Fiske was severely wounded in both of his legs by the explosion. Although there is no citation for the award, Captain Fiske also was awarded the Military Cross in 1919. After the war Captain Fiske returned to education, and became a Master at the Dockyard School, Chatham, before transferring to Portsmouth Dockyard School as Senior Master in 1925. He contributed widely to local social work in Portsmouth, and in WW2 he appears to have joined the police. ex Spink 12 March 1996, lot 247; Glendining 25 October, 1978.
Estimate: £6000-£8000

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Price realized 5'000 GBP
Starting price 4'800 GBP
Estimate 6'000 GBP
The auction is closed.
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