Description
Military Cross, GV, 1914 Star, with original “5th Aug – 22nd Nov 1914” clasp, British War & Victory Medal, with original MID Oakleaf, a rare 1st Type barrel suspension and dark bronze, Lt Norman Wholey Shillito, Royal Engineers.
1914 Star officially impressed: “28260 Cpl N.W. Shillito. R.E.”
Pair officially impressed: “Lieut N.W. Shillito.”
Military Cross contemporarily hand engraved on reverse reading: “Norman Wholey Shillito Lieut R.E. May 3rd 1917”
The Military Cross was announced in the London Gazette on 26th July 1917, of note the date on the reverse of the MC appears to be the date it was actually earned, at the time he was a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
His untiring and successful exertions in laying and maintaining communications between Brigade Headquarters and advanced Battalions, under heavy shell fire, on at least 5 distinct occasions, has been of the greatest assistance to his Brigade Commander.”
The Military Cross has been nicely named by him and remains mounted as issued on silk ribbon and wearing pin, housed in the original Purple Leather Royal Mint box of issue, the 1914 Star trio has been swing mounted for wear separately, mounted with an original 1914 clasp and a scarce original mention in desaptches Oakleaf.
Additionally of interest is that the Victory Medal is a rarely seen “1st Type”, with the “Dark Chocolate” finish and distinctive flat barrel soldered suspension loop which was halted and replaced by the more commonly seen 2nd Type with bright gilded finish soon after.
The medal roll confirms that he was issued the BWM & 1st Type Victory alongside his Oakleaf on 2nd November 1920, shortly after production was ceased.
Few examples survive as they were the earliest claims produced during 1920 and issued between May to December 1920, before production was halted after various complains, including apparently Winston Churchill who had choice words about the unimpressive look of the medal, the medal rolls for many of these early issued recalls returns and re-issues of the 2nd types, not only was it unimpressive to look at the soldered barrel loop could become detached, as the new 2nd Type had the suspension as part of the striking itself, fixing this weakness.
Included is also high quality matching miniature medal set, the reverse of the MC engraved: “N.W. Shillito” which was likely what he chose to wore over the full size when needed.
Also with some original documents and photos including:
His Field Almanac 1918 Official Copy
An empty Army Medal office envelope sent to him.
His original Officer’s Record of Services Army Book 439 from the First World War
An an excellent pair of portraits on post cards, contained in a leather wallet dated “26th August 1916” likely an engagement occasion, Norman in his freshly minted Officer’s Uniform, appears to be his soon to be Wife Mabel Alma Littlebury he married in January 1918, likely engaged whilst training to be an Officer back home and married when he got the chance.
NORMAN WHOLEY SHILLITO MC
Army Service
Norman was well educated, and before the war had recently left school and was working as an Undergraduate at Cox & Co, (we believe the Travel Company now known as Cox & Kings).
In fact he had Enrolled at St John’s College, University of Cambridge during 1912.
It was likely not difficult for him to get a Commission, but he instead chose the Enlistment route, signing up as a Private, he looks to have been swiftly promoted to Corporal, his Officer’s Service book shows the following postings:
“RE Depot, Chatham & Aldershot, 13th September 1914 – 29th September 1914
RE Depot, Le Mans France, 30th September 1914 – 7th October 1914
1st Signal Squadron RE, 10th October 1914 – 15th August 1915
Signal Service Training Centre (at home training for Commission), 17th August 1915 – 13th March 1916
Signal Depot Alexandria Egypt, 23rd March 1916 – 2nd May 1916
2nd Signal Company R.E. 3rd September 1916 – “
During the war, having been a Sergeant, he was sent home to train to become an officer, “9 weeks course in Signal Service Training Centre prior to taking commission. 10 days of wireless court at G.H.Q. Wireless Depot.”
He received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant on 9th January 1916 and was only a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant when gazetted for the Military Cross.
Naturally following the award he was promoted to Lieutenant on 9th July 1917.
Personal Life
Norman Wholey Shillito was born on 26th July 1893 in Handsworth, Westbromwich, Staffordshire.
The son of Dr Henry Shillito M.D. & Elizabeth nee Wholey.
Having grown up in Handsworth, he was then sent down to London for an education, being educated at Mill Hill School as of the 1911 census, “London’s Leading Day and Boarding School for pupils 13-18”.
After leaving school he appears to have gone on to study Law as he was mentioned as a Member of the Inner Temple dated 22th November 1913, he studied since 1912 at St John’s College, at the University of Cambridge, and is mentioned in the “War List of the University of Cambridge 1914-1918.”
During World War 1, he was recorded into the book “Inner Temple 1914-1918” by Sir Charles Darling, which notes Members of the Society of the Inner Temple who were serving in the Army or Navy during the War. The books records about 1043 Members of the Inner Temple (one of the London Inns of Court for Barristers) who served in the war.
During the war, he married Mabel Alma Littlebury at Hampstead, London during January 1918.
After the war, in 1921, he is shown living in Croydon as a “Insurance Official – Foreign Fire Department” for Central Insurance Company in London.
He is later seen on the 1939 Census working as an “insurance Executive” in Northwood, London.
He lived a long life and died in Poole, Dorset during January 1982, aged about 91.
