Military Cross (GV) unnamed as awarded; 1914-15 Star (LIEUT. H. FOXTON, R.A.M.C.); British War Medal (MAJOR H. FOXTON); Victory Medal with M.I.D. oakleaf (MAJOR H. FOXTON); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45 - these last unnamed as issued. Along with original WWII medal award slip.
Hartas Foxton was born in 1889 in Skirlaugh, Yorkshire. He qualified as a Medical Doctor and served in WWI with the R.A.M.C. He entered France on 14.4.1915 and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in 1917 (L.G. of 23 April 1918.) His citation reads:
"When in charge of the evacuation of wounded he personally directed & visited all his Regimental Aid Posts many times a day, often under heavy fire. By his energy he kept his bearers working, though exhausted, until the completion of the evacuation."
Having survived WWI he was Killed in Action in WWII when aboard the HMHS Newfoundland which was sunk off Salerno, Italy on Monday, 13.9.1943 - The ship was bombed and sunk by Luftwaffe aircraft while off the beaches at Salerno, southern Italy. All the doctors on board were killed, as well as the Matron, 5 Nurses,& many RAMC Orderlies. the Germans may have mistaken her for a troopship. Originally a British Royal Mail Ship that was requisitioned as a hospital ship in the World War II. At that point she was one of three ships brightly illuminated, bearing standard Red Cross markings as hospital ships, which was her function, so due protection under the Geneva Convention. He was a Lieutenant Colonel at the time.
