Sir George Savage's Challenge Shield (fencing), 1913, British (1913)

Title	Sir George Savage's Challenge Shield (fencing), 1913
Nationality	British
Period	1913

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This medal was the second prize, issued by the London Epee Club to the F Grave's School of Arms team: E Biedermann, Captain (later killed as a 2nd Lieutenant and pilot in 57 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps on 10.8.17); G Ames; W C Hill; the Hon Rupert Mitford.

Harry Charles Ernest Biedermann is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Oxfordshire Yeomanry/RFC). George Ames had a distinguished career in the Royal Artillery, winning the MC in 1917. William Carlisle Hill MC, temporary lieutenant, who was killed in action 7.6.17 with the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment (attached 74th Trench Mortar Battery), is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. The Hon Ernest Rupert Bertram Ogilvie Mitford was the brother of the 2nd Baron Redesdale, born 1895, educated Wellington, 2nd Lieutenant RNVR, served at the Siege of Antwerp (interned in Holland) 1914, died 1939.

The medal celebrates the sport of epee fencing in England, introduced from France in 1900. Felix Grave was a noted Edwardian professor of epee de combat. He was the only one to write a treatise. The London Epee Club is still going and, indeed, the Savage Shield is still awarded on an annual basis.

This is a bronze example and is GVF, even near EF.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Militaria : Medals : British : 20th Century]

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