THE FINE ‘PALESTINE 1918’ FIRST WAR M.C. GROUP TO A CAPTAIN 1/52ND PUNJABIS FOR HIS GALLANTRY AT EL TIREH, 19 SEPTEMBER 1918 DURING BATTLE OF SHARON, THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE LARGER BATTLES OF MEGIDDO, 19 -25 SEPTEMBER 1918. DURING THE SECOND WAR HE SERVED AS LIEUT COLONEL, INDIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS STAFF, DIRECTOR OF PRISONERS OF WAR

MILITARY CROSS, GVR, UNNAMED AS ISSUED, IN CASE OF ISSUE, BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS, ‘CAPT. C. L. SEVENOAKS’, INDIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-45, WAR MEDAL 1939-45.

M.C. London Gazette 15 February 1919. Lt. (A./Capt.) Charles Lutman Sevenoaks, Ind. A., attd. 1st Bn., 152nd Ind. Infy. (EGYPT) Recommendation London Gazette 30 July 1919.

“For conspicuous gallantry on September 19th, 1918, in the attack on El Tireh. After the capture of the first objective the unit became disorganised owing to the shortage of officers. Captain Sevenoaks, who was acting adjutant, was sent by his commanding officer to take charge of the situation. On arrival, he immediately organised a large sector of the front under very heavy fire, and by his own personal example and leading rushed the enemy position at the head of the company. He continued with the advance line up to the final objective and showed great ability and courageous leadership throughout.”

Charles Lutman Sevenoaks was born in Bangalore India on 10 March 1896. A Cadet at Wellington College, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, 24th Punjab Regiment on 28 April 1916, he was promoted Lieutenant, 18 April 1917 and Captain (Acting) 11 April 1918. He served in India, Mesopotamia and Palestine during the Great War and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery at El Tireh, 19 September 1918 during battle of Sharon, the battle of the larger battles of Megiddo, 19 -25 September 1918. During the battle he was attached to the 1/152nd Punjabis. This battalion had been formed from companies transferred from various other regiments, including the 24th Punjabis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/152nd_Punjabis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sharon

Captain Sevenoaks resigned his Commission, 14 May 1939 but was granted an Emergency Commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Indian Army with effect from 27 August 1940 (London Gazette 15 November 1940). Promoted Acting Major, 24 November 1941 and Lieutenant Colonel (Temporary) 28 March 1944. He served with the Indian Army Headquarters Staff As Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Director of Prisoners of War, from November 1941. Released from service on 1st March 1946 he died in Maidstone, Kent in October 1971.

Sold with the following items:

1) Miniature M.C. and pair. These mounted as worn, the victory medal detached from ribbon.
2) Ribbon bar for Miniature M.C. and pair. This with press studs for attaching to uniform.
3) Silver cigarette case, hallmarked, London, 1929. With gilded interior and the exterior engraved with the intertwined initials CLS.
4) An extremely fine quality 24th Punjabis sweetheart badge. This appears to be gold, silver and enamel but not hallmarked. Contained in a fitted Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Limited, London case.
5) A fine quality kukri with silvered fitting and brass (or gilt) arms which appears to be of Indian origin. This an impressive looking piece in very good condition.

Condition, generally NEF. MIC confirms WW1 pair for 24th Punjabis, issued via India Office. An impressive group.

Note: the group can be purchased for £150 less without the Kukri.