Harry Washington - 17th Lancers 1914 Medal Trio / Commissioned Essex Regiment

Harry Washington - 17th Lancers 1914 Medal Trio, including stunning copy portrait photo
Full size original medal group with original full length ribbons, correctly impressed as follows:

1914 Star 2033 Cpl H. Washington. 17/ Lrs
BWM & VM both impressed Lieut. H.T. Washington.

Medals in good condition (NEF), without bashes, dents scratches or polishing. The VM has a small 2mm stain to the reverse. Some wear to ribbons, especially some fraying to the Victory Medal ribbon).

Harry Thomas Washington is confirmed on the MIC ( copy supplied) as entitled to the 1914 trio and as commissioned into the 2nd Battalion the Essex Regiment.

Entered France 8th November 1914, first names confirmed as Harry Thomas and his number (as per 1914 star) as 2033.

He was a pre war regular cavalryman with the rank of Lance Corporal in the A4 copy of his portrait photo which is signed "Sincerely yours Harry". The copy of the photo is supplied with the permission of Phil Seaton from the British Military Badge Forum ( www.britishbadgeforum.com ) where there is a thread with considerable debate about the size of the collar mottos on this photograph, which show him wearing the pre 1914 cavalry serge frock with shoulder chains and cap lines, which were not re-introduced post WW1. The white regimental facing collar tabs are also an interesting feature. The original card, according to Phil, it has the following inscription on the reverse "Uncle Harry Washington 17-21 Lancers" (sic).

London Gazettes confirm:

His promotion from 2 Lieut to Lieut in the Essex Regiment on 26th August 1918 (LG 7th October p11801), His retirement from the Essex Regiment on 22nd April 1920, and receiving a gratuity (LG 21st April 1920, p4673), and finally that he had reached the age limit for liability to be recalled from the Regular Army Reserve of Officers on the 3rd January 1939 (LG 7 Feb 1939, p865), Copies of the relevant extracts will be supplied.

There is also a service record for a Valentine Washington, who served only briefly in the KRRC in 1915, but was discharged as unsuitable for further soldiering in very quick order. However he does list as his next of kin his brother, Harry Washington (Expeditionary Force) (copy of this also to be supplied).

An interesting group.

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Code: 61861