Here’s a link to the story of Siegfried Sassoon’s Military Cross, often said to have been thrown in the sea. He actually only tore the ribbon from his tunic and threw that away.
I think I’ve covered it before, but I can’t find the relevant post so I’m repeating it here. If you remember the previous post, I apologise for the repetition.
He talks about it in “Memoirs of an Infantry Officer”, published in 1930.
“I ripped the MC ribbon off my tunic and threw it into the mouth of the Mersey.
Weighted with significance though this action was, it would have felt more conclusive had the ribbons been heavier.
As it was, the poor little thing fell weakly on the water and floated away as though aware of its own futility.”
The slightly inaccurate story is here. (He was not a “hard-up poet”, he had a private income).
Here’s a link to the family row over the medal.
I can’t find the reference to his war medals, claimed by the family after his death and later sold by Sothebys (he never claimed them himself) but if you are interested here is a copy of the sale details from the sale of one of his sports medals.
Ex-partners and step-children do seem to complicate matters these days.
Yes, they do.
I must remember to get rid of a couple of things before I die – if not I can see a bit of a storm brewing.
It’s difficult planning to do things before you die – do it too soon and it looks like you’re giving up. but do it too late…
A most interesting and informative article!
Thank you. 🙂
I had quite a few marathon medals – simply for having finished, you understand. My grandson, snatching a moment of weakness, made off with the lot 🙂
Finishing a marathon is a big enough effort, you deserve a medal for that. 🙂
Thanks a lot
Good story. And, oh, how I long for a private income!
Yes, it would be nice. Robert Graves used to sponge off him in the 1920s.
Alas, I have no one to sponge off.
There’s still time…
😉