WW2 Military Cross Grouping

[edelweiss123]

Hi there, i have recently stumbled across this WW2 military cross set someone has for sale. I would never be able to afford it ( sob ) so i thought i would introduce it all to you. He says the most important thing is that it is kept together and wants to know the value of a collection like this as he would prefer to sell it all together to maintain the history.

Here is a description provided by the owner:

My father's medals, including the military cross, come with 2 battledress jackets, helmet, water bottles etc as well as buttons and other decorations and citations. We have his original war service books, discharge letter and much information about his service during the war, being part of the coronation celebrations in 1953 and after in the territorial army. There is also some correspondence and a letter from King George regretting he could not give Dad's his medal. Alongside this are the maps he used in the war and other details about his war service in the Royal Engineers with the 43rd Wessex Division. He was instrumental in putting the bridge across the Seine at Vernon and there are photos of this taken at the time. He put in another bridge at Cloppenburg, 60 miles south of Bremen. We are keen to find a home where this information will be kept together.
The citation for the military cross is as follows:

“On 27th March, 1945 at Millingen Lt. Silvester was in charge of clearing the streets of debris. In spite of shelling and mortar fire he went on foot to direct the work of an armoured bulldozer. When it was knocked out be a direct hit he fetched another which he operated himself until the job was done.
On 13th April, 1945 at Cloppenburg he was one of the first men to reach the demolished bridge in the town. Although enemy snipers were still very active he continually exposed himself to measure the gap and remove the mines from the debris. The speed with which the bridge was later built was largely due to his personal preparatory work in the most hazardous conditions.
Ever since he landed in Normandy in June 1944 Lt Silvester has always displayed an exceptional devotion to duty and has set a fine example to those about him. He is one of those men one likes to have present in a battle.”

A newspaper described him as one of two `Bath men’ who “. . . were in a party of sappers who, in the face of fierce enemy opposition, put a 680-foot bridge across the Seine within 23 hours of the first British assault on the river” on 25th August, 1944.

[edelweiss123]

These unfortunatly are the only images i have for now, however the seller is more than happy to provide more. He is still sorting his late fathers stuff out so there will be more. I recommended a specialist auction but he wants to know it is going to someone who will appreciate it for what it is, not to some randomer who will just split it and sell it on. I can see where her is coming from.

[edelweiss123]

larger pics

[Adrian]

Why does he want to sell it Vicky?

My first thought would be to encourage the chap to keep it in his family.

Once it's gone, it's gone and it's always sad to these these pieces leave the family where they belong........

[edelweiss123]

Hi Adrian, i have tried telling that no one will be able to appreciate it as much as him and his family would. I assume he needs the money.

[Adrian]

Such a shame.

I hope a member of this forum may be able to buy it and do the right thing.

[Walkwolf]

Unfortunately, he will have no control what happens to it
once everything leaves his hands, but with provenance
and the other related items - as well as being a rather
a large group of medals - it will be worth a premium.

Original Military Cross medals sell for around $1,000
to $1,500 alone, so I could see this group going
for at least twice as much.........

[edelweiss123]

Thats exactly why i posted it on here. He says he has had offers between £400 and £1400. But he wants to make sure it goes to someone who will value it. I suggested to him that i put it on here as i know if any one here bought it, it would be the second best thing to his family keeping it.

[kc1]

Without wanting to rain on anybodies parade here and i'm not saying everything isn't as expected but buy the items not the story because...
There are no named medals in this group
Military Crosses are heavily faked because there is no naming, although engraving on genuine ones is also rampant, the other WW2 medals are common. The territorial award is harder to obtain but again the officers ones are not named.
They could approach the Engineers museum and see if they would want the medals as a LOAN not a DONATION presuming there is a Royal Engineers any more. That way the family don't relinquish ownership. A donation means its the museums property to dispose of as they see fit which can often be to sell, as many relatives have discovered when they turn up to view 'their' medals.
The tunic on its own presuming its not a privately made officers one rather than a 1940 B.D could fetch £100-130.
Helmet £40-60
Sam brownes cant give em away.
Webbing possibly £50-80
To be honest £1400 isn't a bad price at the moment
Being at Vernon should be worth some sort of award, bouncing the Seine didn't quite come off as planned due to the gentlemen in feld grau turning at bay having legged it out of Normandy, typhoons permitting.

[big ned]

These unfortunatly are the only images i have for now, however the seller is more than happy to provide more. He is still sorting his late fathers stuff out so there will be more. I recommended a specialist auction but he wants to know it is going to someone who will appreciate it for what it is, not to some randomer who will just split it and sell it on. I can see where her is coming from.

Why not try approaching the Royal Engineers Museum. I know they like donations at these places, but perhaps sufficient funds could be raised by their membership if they're interested enough to purchase the group at a mutually agreed price.

Afterall, the offers he's apparently had so far are not really good enough by a long chalk, so perhaps an agreement can be reached that is a little more practical without being too high. He did say he wants the collection to stay together so perhaps he would show willing and be prepared to take a sum that is not beyond the museums means. Where else could be a better place to own and display his fathers medals and other items than this?

Royal Engineers Museum & Library, Gillingham, Kent

You know it makes sense, but is he so inclined to feel the same?

Regards, Ned.