Lot 14
Great War, 1st and 2nd Battalions Honourable Artillery Company, Officer’s Group to Lieutenant John (Jack) Naphtali Hart
Military Medals, Decorations and Orders On Land, at Sea, in the Air | E114
Auction: 7 September 2023 at 10:00 BST
Description
A Great War, 1st and 2nd Battalions Honourable Artillery Company, Officer’s Group to Lieutenant John (Jack) Naphtali Hart, who also served as a Deputy Sub-Inspector in the Special Constabulary and was awarded a CB in June 1955 for Political and Public Services in Enfield, comprising 1914-15 Star, (1563 Pte. J.N. Hart. H.A.C. (Inf.)), 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, (Lieut. J. N. Hart.), Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, GVR, (Dep. Sub-Inspr. John N. Hart.), very lightly toned, very fine (4).
C.B. (Civil) The London Gazette of the 9th of June 1955 – not present with Group.
John, known as Jack, Naphtali Hart was born on the 16th of July 1881. He joined the Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry) on the 25th of August 1914, proceeding to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29th of December 1914, serving with the 1st Battalion. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, Territorial Force Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry) on the 25th of January 1917 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, fighting with them in France and then in November 1917, moving with the Battalion to Italy (HAC Record Card confirms). In the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in October 1918, they led a force of Italians, Americans and British that compelled the garrison of the strategic island of Papadopoli (in the main channel of the River Piave) to surrender. For this remarkable feat of arms, the HAC was awarded two Distinguished Service Orders, five Military Crosses, three Distinguished Conduct Medals and twenty-nine Military Medals.
His Medal Index Card states ‘(?) Retd (Retired) 14.10.24’. He served in the Special Constabulary as a Deputy Sub-Inspector and was awarded a C.B. in the London Gazette of the 9th of June 1955 for Political and Public Services in Enfield. He died on the 9th of June 1963, leaving £26,738,12 shillings, 7 pence.
His Officer’s Papers are held in the original only at The National Archives, Kew, London (Lieutenant John Naphtali Hart, The Honourable Artillery Company) under reference WO 374/31567.
Sold with Copy Medal Index Card, Copy HAC Card, London Gazette entries, Copy 1911 census and 1939 Register, and copy Probate Notice.
