THE LORD ASHCROFT VC COLLECTION HAS ACQUIRED THE VICTORIA CROSS AND OTHER ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MEDALS, AWARDED TO BRIGADIER PERCY HANSEN, 6TH BN, LINCOLSHIRE REGIMENT.
3 March 2017


( select to enlarge )
Medal entitlement of Brigadier Percy Hansen,
6th Bn, Lincolnshire Regiment

  • Victoria Cross
  • Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )
  • Military Cross ( MC )
  • 1914-15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD Oakleaf
  • General Service Medal ( 1918-62 )
    • 1 clasp:
    • "Palestine"
  • France & Germany Star
  • Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • War Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Croix de Guerre ( France )
  • Officer, Legion of Merit ( USA )
  • Commander, Royal Order of St Olaf ( Norway )


The Victoria Cross, Orders, decorations and campaign medals awarded to Brigadier Percy Hansen, 6th Bn, Lincolnshire Regiment, has been acquired by the Michael Ashcroft Trust, the holding institution for the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection. The Percy Hansen VC group had previously been on loan and on display in the Imperial War Museum's Lord Ashcroft Gallery where it will remain.


For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 1 October 1915 ], Yilghin Burnu, Gallipoli, 9 August 1915, Captain Percy Howard Hansen, 6th Bn, Lincolnshire Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery on 9th August 1915, at Yilghin Burnu, Gallipoli Peninsula.

After the second capture of the "Green Knoll" his Battalion was forced to retire, leaving some wounded behind, owing to the intense heat from the scrub which had been set on fire. When the retirement was effected Captain Hansen, with three or four volunteers, on his own initiative, dashed forward several times some 300 to 400 yards over open ground into the scrub under a terrific fire, and succeeding in rescuing from inevitable death by burning no less than six wounded men.

Percy Hansen was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 4th December 1915.


For the award of the Military Cross ( MC )

[ London Gazette, 29 October 1915 ], Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, 9 September 1915, T / Major Percy Howard Hansen VC, 6th Bn, Lincolnshire Regiment.

For conspicuous gallantry at Suvla Bay on 9 September 1915. Major Hansen made a reconnaissance of the coast, stripping himself and carrying only a revolver and a blanket for disguise. He swam and scrambled over rocks, which severely cut and bruised him, and obtained some invaluable information and located a gun which was causing much damage.

The undertaking was hazardous. One occasion he met a part of 12 Turks who did not see him, and later a single Turk whom he lulled.

Major Hansen returned to our lines in a state of great exhaustion.


For the award of the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )

[ London Gazette, 16 September 1918 ], Passchendale, Belgium, 1917, Lieutenant Colonel Percy Howard Hansen VC MC, Brigade Major to 170 Infantry Brigade

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Colonel Hansen volunteered to carry out reconnaissance, and brought back valuable information obtained under heavy artillery and machine gun fire, which had been unprocurable from other sources. Throughout he did fine work.

Acquisitions

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Iain Stewart, 3 March 2017