WHYTE'S THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR 15/16 MAY 2021

129 THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR - TIMED ON-LINE AUCTION 1 MAY - 15/16 MAY 2021 Militaria 303 1914-1918 Military Cross to an Irish Guards officer. Inscribed to Lieutenant W. E. Faulkner. In fact it was to Walter Douglas Faulkner. In original presentation box. Condition: Medal extremely fine, ribbon slightly soiled. The Times, 22nd May, 1940 “OBITUARY, FALLEN OFFICERS LIEUT.-COLONEL W.D. FAULKNER T.E.G.N. writes of Lieutenant-Colonel W.D. Faulkner, M.C., Irish Guards, whose death on active service was recorded in The Times of yesterday:- Faulkner joined the Irish Guards from Sandhurst early in 1917 and went to France in September of that year, where he served with the 2nd Battalion for the rest of the War, being awarded the M.C. in 1918. After a distinguished military career, which included the adjutancy of his battalion and the appointment of Commandant at the Guards Depot, he was, in August 1938, given command of the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, who were at that time serving in Palestine. It was then that his powers of leadership, which were always so apparent, were given full scope. He was a magnificent commanding officer during those troublous and difficult times. Always calm and with excellent judgment, he inspired complete confidence in all who worked with him, and the added reputation which the Irish Guards gained in Palestine was in no small measure due to the skill and leadership of their commanding officer. Shortly before the tragic news of his death an officer in his Battalion in a letter to the writer used these words: “Faulks is superb, always cheerful, and nothing puts him off his stroke.”No words could better describe the greatest strength of his character - namely, his imperturbability. Nothing upset him. Possess of an unusually quick brain, he grasped the essential points of a question at once and always seemed to have plenty of time to think. His decisions, in consequence, whether quick or deliberate, were invariably well thought out and sound, and when he had once made up his mind to a certain course which he considered right no circumstances, however difficult, would ‘put him off his stroke.’ Always jealous for the welfare of his Battalion, he was adored by his officers and men. A strict disciplinarian, he was also a wise and kind friend to all those who sought his help and guidance, and he leaves behind a memory which will not fade. He died in the fullness of his time, at the head of his beloved Battalion, and it can be said with truth that he was worshipped by those whom he led and commanded. Surely no soldier could desire a finer epitaph.” Estimate €600-€800 (approx £520-£700) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 303