British-French Napoleon 1st-WWI, 3 Generation Medal Set, A Most Interesting Grouping
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $295.00

Original era issue. This, most interesting, three generation grouping, formed part of a recently purchased collection, assembled by a longtime collector of WWI British relics and militaria. The main character in this story is one, Honore Alphonse Jacques Esgonniere, who, during WWI, served in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, later transferring to the Labor Corps. With no question as to his ancestral heritage, his grouping contains medals from both Britain and France. Born in London in 1881 (died 1943), he enlisted in the British army on the 30th of August 1916, his medical examination notes the amputation of his right forefinger (his trigger finger!), but noted there, as not being a severe enough injury to prevent his acceptance into the service. As stated serving first with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, he was later transferred to the Labor Corps on the 14th of May 1917. There he completed his wartime service and returned home to his family. For this service, he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal, with both being named as follows, 31911 Pte. H.A.J. Esgonniere. D. of Corn. L.I.. Both medals are in unworn condition, complete with their individual mint condition ribbons, named boxes of issue and the envelopes addressed to Mr. Esgonniere at 69 Devonport Road, Shepherds Bush. His home address during the Great War. In 1932 Mr. Esgonniere evidently applied to the French government for medals authorized to recognize the service of his father (1870), and grandfather (Napoleonic Wars), receiving the French Commemorative Medal of the 1870 War, and the Saint Helena Medal, which honored the French veterans of the wars of 1792-1815. These are in similar condition as the British medals, and reside in a small cardboard box, with a hand written inscription on the lid "Fathers & Great Grandfathers". This box in turn came in a 1932 dated envelope, addressed to 69 Devonport Road, Shepherds Bush. There is an extensive archive available online regarding H.A.J. Esgonniere, providing ample opportunity for further research, to include the birth of his father in 1851, and his emigration to the UK in 1879. While other medals similar to these are readily available on the collecting market today, we feel this grouping to be absolutely unique in it's historical span of 100 years.