Lot 805
AN IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC MILITARY CROSS AND BAR GROUP OF SIX TO CAPTAIN CANNING OF THE SUFFOLK REGIMENT.
A group of six comprising Military Cross and second award bar engraved to the reverse 'Captain C.V.Canning, the Suffolk Regt, St. Elie 1.1.18 and Henin Hill 21/22 Mar 18 (Bar). War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal to Capt C.V.Canning. Defence Medal 1939-45 named to Col C.V. Canning, Army Welfare Services, 1935 Jubilee Medal to Col C.V. Canning and a George V Territorial Forces Long Service Decoration similarly named and dated 1916-1936. Court mounted as worn and with accompanying miniatures.
Cyril Victor Canning had an illustrious history with the Suffolk Regiment leading his men in a number of actions that saw continued fighting and heavy casualties during the final months of the Great War. Initially serving with the 9th (service) Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, as a 2nd Lieutenant from the 7th of July 1916 and acting Captain from 19th December 1916. The 9th Battalion had landed in Boulogne on the 30th August 1915. Lieutenant Colonel C.C.R. Murphy's Regimental history makes the first mention of many of Captain Canning when, on the 11th of June 1917, during a period of raid and counter-raid in the Loos-Hullkuch area: "'B' Company under Captain C.V. Canning, raided as far as the enemy's support trenches in front of Cite St. Elie, but found them empty. A certain amount of information was, however, obtained and much material "damage done". Presumably it was for this raid that he was to be decorated when, on the 1st of January 1918 after the Battalion had marched to Courcelles-le-Comte a number of honours and rewards were announced including the MC to Captain Canning.
On the 16th of February, after two and a half years service on the Western Front, the 9th Battalion was disbanded and ceased to exist. Canning joined the 11th (Service) Battalion (Cambridge).
Captain Canning saw much of his action during the 'Great German Offensive' of March 1918. He was tasked with commanding 'C' company on the left of the Battalion formation, at 5.00 am on the 21st the German offensive began with a heavy bombardment, a more focused attack on the Battalion's area occurred during the afternoon, and following a further intensive bombardment 'waves [of Germans attacked] across the front of "C" Company at decisive range ... a serious engagement was developing'. "C" company's lines were broken for a while but restored by nightfall. At 8.30pm after a valiant attempt to hold off the attack the situation had deteriorated forcing the Battalion to carry out a fighting withdrawal towards Hamlincourt. Severe fighting continued throughout the night and on the 22nd the 11th Battalion were subjected to the heaviest bombardment they were to ever suffer. A desperate defence of Henin Hill had taken place throughout the day but withdrawal was the only option, it was whilst withdrawing from this position that "C" company headquarters met eight Germans with five prisoners, the Germans were killed and the prisoners released.
The Gazette recorded this action for which a bar to the MC was awarded (Gazetted 13th September 1918, issue 30901 page 10884) the citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field while commanding his company. He established a bombing block and drove off four determined enemy attacks. He also rescued five prisoners from the enemy and showed great tenacity and skill in handling his company under the most trying circumstances."
Suffering over 200 casualties during this action the Battalion withdrew to La Rolanderie farm in the Armentieres area, the brigade reserve position, but soon found itself called upon to resist the next German thrust at the battle of Lys. On the 30th March they reentered the front line in the Houplines sector holding a line of some 8000 yards in front of Armentieres. Fighting was intense and heavy casualties were inflicted by a German Gas attack on 7th April, continual attacks were made d
