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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 340

The 'Trench Raid Leader's' M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant P. Crampton, 2/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was seriously wounded during a hand-to-hand clash

The same action saw him seriously wounded while leading a bayonet charge, leading to Crampton being treated by Harold Gillies, one of the pioneers of modern plastic surgery

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. P. Crampton.), good very fine (3)

M.C. London Gazette 16 August 1917, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded a raid on the enemy trenches. Previously he had done most valuable reconnaissance work, entering the enemy lines on previous occasions. The success of the raid was largely due to his fine patrol work beforehand.'

Percy Crampton enlisted initially with the Inns of Court Officer Training Regiment and was Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant from that unit on 15 September 1915. Posted to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment he was later advanced Lieutenant on 27 July 1915. The Battalion entered the war in Flanders on 8 February 1917 with the 55th Division stationed in the Cordonnerie Sector. Their first actions were largely trenches raids launched across the lines, starting in May 1917, one of these was commanded by Crampton, the Regimental History outlines this stating:

'Another raid, but on a smaller scale, took place on the 24th, when two officers- Lieutenants Crampton and Marshall- and fifteen men started off. These had just reached the enemy's support line when a German patrol was heard approaching, and the raiders divided into two parties; one charged the enemy with the bayonet and a sharp fight ensued, two Germans being killed and four captured; two of these last were wearers of the Iron Cross ribbons and all looked very fit and in good condition. Of the raiding party only one- Lieutenant P. Crampton- was wounded.'

This is added too by several newspaper articles, one of which entitled 'Plucky Officer Wounded on Raiding Party' states:

'From an account received by Mr. Crampton of the incident which resulted in the casualty it appears that Lieutenant Crampton and another officer, accompanied by seven men, took part in a raid on the enemy's lines. In an encounter at close quarters with six of the enemy. Lieutenant Crampton was wounded in the neck and shoulder, it is thought, by revolver fire. Two of the enemy were, however, killed, and the remainder surrendered, the whole party of six thus being accounted for. The Boches' arms and equipment, which had been thrown down, were collected and the prisoners hurried down to the enemy front line, and across No Man's Land to the British lines. It is stated that two, at least, of the Boches were wearing the ribbon of the Iron Cross; one was also wearing a Red Ribbon. Lieutenant Crampton was able to reach his own lines, with assistance, and was quickly put on a stretcher and brought to a dressing station, where first aid was given him.

Has done Good Work in France.

In a letter to Mr. Crampton, the Commanding Officer of the Battalion writes as follows:- "Your son was wounded severely, but I hope and trust he will be all right. He was very brave over it. He has done good work in France and some weeks back, when my second in command was killed, carried another officer out of the shelled area on his back. This, I know, will be a comfort to you. You will get news when he reaches England, and I trust you will let me know how he progresses."

Lieutenant Crampton is 26 years of age and was educated at the Warrington Grammer School. At the age of 21 he was articled as a solicitor, and, up to his joining the Army, was in practice with his uncle, who is a solicitor in Leigh. Yesterday Mr. Crampton was greatly relieved to hear that his son was making satisfactory progress.'

Returning to Britain, Crampton's serve injuries were treated by Harold Gillies, a New Zealand born medical officer and one of the pioneering forces behind plastic surgery. After seeing skin grafting techniques in France and America Gillies opened a ward in Cambridge where he began to develop the techniques required to treat facial injuries. Here he performed what is believed to be the first modern plastic surgery on Walter Yeo, who was wounded at the Battle of Jutland.

Gillies treatment of Crampton appears to have been for a wound to the jaw, a transcript of his medical record notes 'Fractured Mandible' and 'Keloid Scar Clavicle'. The results of these surgeries are unclear however Crampton certainly survived, going on to work as a solicitor for his uncle T. R. Dootson.

During the Second World War he was living near Leigh and joined the Newchurch Local Defence Volunteers. A newspaper article from the time- - in a scene that could have been called straight out of Dad's Army - makes reference to him being asked to resign after an argument with the local Rector. Rather touchingly it is related that eighty members of the L.D.V. threatened to resign if Crampton was forced out of his post; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate
£700 to £900

Starting price
£550