A Great War "Salonika" Military Cross Awarded to Captain Charles Sutton

Military Cross, George V (CAPT. C.I. SUTTON R.F.A. SALONIKA. 1918"); Queen's South Africa Medal, 4 Clasps - CAPE COLONY, TRANSVAAL, WITTEBERGEN, SOUTH AFRICA 1901 (11638 Pte C.J. SUTTON, 16th IMP: YEO:); 1914-15 Star (L-17453 DVR: D. BAMBER. R.F.A.); British War Medal (CAPT. C.I. SUTTON.); Victory Medal with MID Oak Leaf (CAPT. C.I. SUTTON.); and Defence Medal. Naming is engraved on the reverse of the MC, officially impressed on the QSM and on the three First World War awards, the DM is un-named as issued. His missing 1914-15 Star was substituted with one from another member of the Royal Field Artillery, with semblance of tape residue on its reverse. Un-mounted, replacement ribbons, contact marks and surface wear on the QSM and BWM, thoroughly cleaned, very fine. In a wooden presentation box, the lid with a 50 mm x 68 mm Royal Artillery cap badge affixed in the centre, a plate affixed to the front panel engraved "CAPT. C.L. SUTTON R.A.", the interior of the lid and the raised awards platform lined in red felt, a 23 mm x 178 mm brass finished metal name plate inscribed "CAPT. C.I. SUTTON R.A." at the top of the platform, with Royal Artillery pins in silver with red and blue enamels placed at either end of the name plate, the platform higher at the top and lower at the bottom and housing recessed areas for each of the six awards, the box measuring 178 mm in width x 305 mm in length x 92 mm in height, dual-hinged, black felt bottom, one light scratch on the lid, box near extremely fine.

 

Footnote: Charles Isaac Sutton served as a Private (11638) with the 63rd Company, 16th Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa in 1900-1901, which included operations in the Orange River Colony including actions at Wittebergen, along with operations in Cape Colony and Transvaal. The supplemental roll shows him entitled to the South Africa 1901 clasp. Sutton enlisted for service during the First World War and was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant on December 18, 1914. As of March 1915, he was with "D" Battery, 101st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 22nd Division, New Armies. He was to see three other promotions: to Acting Captain on May 1, 1916, to Staff Captain on October 16, 1916 and to Temporary Captain as part of Headquarters Staff on September 18, 1917, the announcement of the latter promotion appearing in the Sixth Supplement to the London Gazette 30288 of Friday, September 14, 1917, on Monday, September 17, 1917, page 9623. Temporary Captain Charles Isaac Sutton, Royal Artillery was one of many Mentioned in Despatches for actions in Salonika: "The Secretary of State for War has received the following despatch from Lieutenant General G. F. Milne, C.B., D.S.O., Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force: - General Headquarters, British Salonika Force, 25th October, 1917. My Lord, - I have the honour to submit herewith a list of the names of the Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Men and Nursing Staff, whose services I desire to bring to your Lordship's notice for gallant conduct and distinguished services rendered during the past six months" (March 1 to October 1, 1918), the announcement appearing in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 30404 of Tuesday, November 27, 1918, on Wednesday, November 28, 1917, page 12479. Temporary Captain Charles Isaac Sutton, Royal Field Artillery was awarded the Military Cross, as part of King George V's Birthday Honours: "His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, to approve of the undermentioned rewards for distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in Salonika. Dated 3rd June, 1918", the announcement appearing in the Fifth Supplement to the London Gazette 30719 of Friday, May 31, 1918, on Monday, June 3, 1918, page 6506, with no citation stated. He was demobilized in late 1919 and later served with the Home Guard during the Second World War (1939-1945).