orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria - Spink

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The Great War ‘1915 Neuve Chapelle V.C. Action’ D.S.O., ‘1916 Somme’ M.C. Group of
Seven to Lieutenant-Colonel H.D. Harington, West Yorkshire Regiment
a) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar
b) Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved in serif capitals ‘Captain H.D. Harington. D.S.O. West
Yorkshire Regiment, “For Conspicuous Gallantry” 15th. 16th. Sept. 1916.’
c) 1914 Star, with Bar (Capt. H.D. Harington. W. York: R.)
d) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Capt. H.D. Harington.)
e) Defence and War Medals, both privately engraved ‘Lt. Col. H.D. Harington.’, good very fine (7)
£2,800-3,200
D.S.O. London Gazette 28.4.1915 Captain Henry Douglas Harington, 2nd Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s
Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
‘For the ability and gallantry displayed on 12th March, 1915, at Neuve Chapelle. After the enemy had gained
temporary possession of a portion of our trenches he brought a flank fire to bear on them, which saved the
situation.’
M.C. London Gazette 14.11.1916 Capt. Henry Douglas Harington, D.S.O., W. York. R.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and consistent good work. Regardless of his personal safety, he was frequently in a
fire-swept area encouraging all ranks. He was a splendid example.’
M.I.D. London Gazette 22.6.1915 Harington, Captain H. D., D.S.O., 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
‘For gallant and distinguished service in the field.’
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Douglas Harington, D.S.O., M.C., born May 1886, the son of Colonel F.W.
Harington, West Yorkshire Regiment, and educated at Bedford Grammar School and Sandhurst; Commissioned
Second Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Regiment, 7.11.1906; promoted Lieutenant, 24.4.1909, and Captain,
14.3.1914; served with the Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 4.11.1914; awarded the
Distinguished Service Order for his gallantry at Neuve Chapelle, 12.3.1915, during a major German counterattack.
Harrington’s Battalion, the 2nd West Yorkshires, had a position on the line next to a salient held by the
Sherwood Foresters. At 5:00 a.m. the enemy attacked along the entire length of the British line, and at the salient
they were able to approach unhindered, being mistaken in the mist for a British listening post returning at daybreak.
The garrisons of the trenches near were rushed, and either kiled, captured, or driven out, and the
remnants of the Sherwood Foresters, who had lost nearly all their officers on the previous two days, were carried
back towards the support trenches two hundred yards to the rear. Other lines of the enemy followed into the
gap. Sensing the danger, the West Yorkshires, to the south, then fired on them ‘and charged with bomb and
bayonet on the initiative of the company commander’ (Official History of the War refers.) The swift action of
Harington’s Battalion forced the enemy back to their own trenches, and undoubtedly saved a far more serious
situation from developing; as it was casualties amongst the Sherwood Foresters amounted to 16 Officers and 342
other ranks, including Private Jacob Rivers, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for two acts of great
bravery that materially assisted in checking the attack.
Appointed Brigade Major, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, B.E.F., 10.12.1915; awarded the Military Cross for
conspicuous gallantry at the capture of Courcelette, Somme, September 1916; appointed Staff Captain, War
Office, 1.9.1917; promoted Brevet Major, 1.1.1919.
PROVENANCE:
Spink Numismatic Circular, March 1974
orders, deCoratioNs, CampaigN medaLs aNd miLitaria
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