Watch List notes:

An Interesting WW2 Norway Interest and Order of St John Group of 6 awarded to Captain Edward 'Eddie' Charles Fitz-Clarence, Irish Guards, the 6th Earl of Munster (and son of Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence, V.C., the so-called 'Demon of Mafeking'); he survived the attack and sinking of the Polish Transport Ship H.M.A.T. Chobry which was bombed off the coast of Norway by German Heinkel Aircraft in April 1940, and took part in operations in Norway against the German occupying forces, comprising: The Order of St. John, Serving Brother's breast badge, in silver and enamels; 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; group offered with two original warrants in original O.H.M.S. envelope, medal transmission slip, embossed letterhead of the Earl of Munster, a group photo including the recipient, matching set of 6 miniatures, full-size group swing mounted on bar as worn, lightly lacquered, pleasing extremely fine (12) Order of St John, London Gazette: 29 June 1956. Edward Charles Fitz-Clarence, 6th Viscount Fitz-Clarence and Earl of Munster, was born on 3 October 1899 in Mafeking, South Africa – the son of Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence, V.C., and Violet Spencer-Churchill who both had been present there during the famous siege (therefore making the above recipient the great-grandson of George, 1st Earl of Munster, eldest son of King William IV). Named no doubt in honour of his father's twin brother Edward, a Lieutenant in the Dorsetshire Regiment who was killed in action whilst serving on attachment with the Egyptian Army at Abu Hamed in 1897, 'Eddie' was educated at Eton College and then at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. His father; who had won the Victorian Cross for gallantry in and around Mafeking during October 1899, served with distinction during the early months of WWI but was killed in action on 12 November 1914 whilst personally leading at the head of the Guards Brigade during a night attack on the Menin Road near Polygon Wood. Just a few years afterwards his son Edward Charles Fitz-Clarence joined his late father's final regiment as Second Lieutenant on 31 July 1918 into the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Irish Guards, being promoted to Lieutenant on 23 December 1921. In 1923, whilst stationed in Constantinople (at the address shown on the O.H.M.S. Envelope offered with this group), an amusing anecdote from the Tash Kishla Barracks is recalled in the book 'Up the Micks! An Illustrated History of the Irish Guards' by James Wilson: 'On one such parade, the Battalion was entranced by the unexpected appearance of a delicious young lady, who rushed onto the square seeking her paramour of the night before: 'Eddy, Eddy' she cried at full voice, 'Have you got my keys?' A very embarrassed subaltern, Eddy Clarence, son of the later Brigadier Charles FitzClarence VC, Grandson of King William IV, was never allowed to forget the incident.' He also served in WW2 with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards as Lieutenant and Company Officer with "No. 1" Company. He reputedly played a role in the training of troops in anticipation of the planned attack upon German forces in Norway, and is confirmed as having been present with this regiment during the regiment's embarkation in April 1940 aboard the H.M.A.T. Chobry. This vessel was severely bombed by German Heinkel 111s during as it approached the Lofoten Islands off the Norwegian coast, where the bombs struck the cabins occupied by the senior officers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, killing six officers including the Commanding Officer Lt. Col. W.D. Faulkner, the Second-in-Command Major C.L.J. Bowen, the Adjutant Capt. the Hon B.A. O'Neill, three of the five Company Commanders and 4 other Ranks. The survivors were evacuated with the utmost discipline as if on parade, and moved in good order across a makeshift gangway to the destroyer Wolverine and the Sloop Stork which took them back to Harstad – leaving the ship to be ravaged by the blazing fire and eventually sink. Lt Edward Fitz-Clarence's name is confirmed on the ORBAT for the embarkation, and as having survived the attack also. The Irish Guards took part in heavy fighting on the ground in Norway at Pothus, holding out against a much larger and better equipped German force, and regimental war diaries confirm that Lt Fitz-Clarence himself whilst leading two platoons on 25 May 1940 near Rognan. Despite the efforts of the British forces, they were forced to evacuate from Narvik on 4 June 1940. He also served in North Africa. Captain Fitz-Clarence eventually was retired from the Reserve of Officers upon reaching the age limit in 1949, at the rank of Honorary Captain. In later life he was appointed Serving Brother in the Order of St John on 29 June 1956. In his personal life, he married firstly Monica Sheila Harrington Grayson on 30 July 1925, with whom he had issue – Anthony Charles Fitz-Clarence, born in 1926, the 7th and final Earl Munster. He later divorced and was remarried to Vivian Schofield on 28 September 1939. He inherited the Mantle Star of the Order of the Garter (lot 217), attributed to King William IV, by family descent. He died on 15 November 1983. (£300-500)