The Italy Star (A-Sgt H. H. Counsell.)

The medal named in a neat contemporary style, 'Boots' type naming

Positive attribution: The recipient was Harold Herbert Counsell, a Great War 'Officer' medal recipient who in 1939 re-joined the British Army (Royal Engineers) after 'resigning' his commission as a prelude to enlisting in the ranks. During the Great War he had served as a Lieutenant with the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (Territorial Force), in theatre of war France from 15 June 1916, qualifying and receiving the British War Medal and Interallied Victory Medal, that he claimed in 1921. His extant medal index card shows that he ended his Great War service as an officer (Lieutenant) with the Royal Engineers. Interestingly the reverse of the Medal Index Card bears his forwarding address as:

- C/0 Eastern Telegraph Mess, Suez, Egypt

By profession he was a Colonial 'Telegraph Engineer', serving extensively in the Middle East, including Egypt and Aden Colony

Harold Herbert Counsell, son of Counsell (a Shipwright, employed at Mazagon Dock) & Grace Counsel (nee - a BRCS Bedford War Worker during the Great War) was a true 'Son of Empire' having been born in, Mazagon, Bombay, British India, on 1889. The 1901 National Census for England & Wales records young Harold residing at, Fairlea, Aspley Road, Bedford, England, together with his mother (shown as 'Head' - Private Means) and four siblings, including elder sisters Beatrice & Geraldine, together with older brother Frank & younger brother Cecil - all five children having been born in Bombay, India, between 1880-1891. Harold Herbert Counsel is recorded as having died at Dorset, England, on, 4 September 1963

A Royal Mint strike

The medal fitted with its original silk riband as issued

Condition: GVF

Code: 22473