Description
Physical description
Lucky charm comprising two tiny metal figures linked together with small metal rings, the larger of the two figures is unclothed except for a nappy and resembles a curly-haired baby, the smaller of the two figures is clothed and wears a leather hat stitched with vegetable fibre.
Label
Lucky charm associated with the First World War service (in Gallipoli) of Brigadier Percy Howard Hansen VC DSO MC (26 October 1890 - 12 February 1951).
Percy Howard Hansen was born at Dresden, Germany to Danish parents who eventually settled in Britain. Hansen became a naturalized British subject. He was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1911. As adjutant of the 6th Battalion, he landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli in August 1915. On 9 August, his battalion took part in an attack towards a feature known as the 'W' Hills, on the Anafarta spur, but as the troops moved forward they came under heavy Turkish fire from Scimitar Hill, previously thought to be in British hands. Their own artillery also hit them. On several occasions, Hansen helped to rally groups of men rushing to the rear and led them back to the firing line. Shortly after midday, the battalion withdrew when the scrub caught alight and the smoke and flames became intense. Realising that some wounded might be burned alive, Hansen, with three others, advanced 300-400 yards into the blazing scrub, and despite the Turkish fire, rescued six men. Hansen was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action, the announcement appearing in the London Gazette of 1 October 1915. The same month he received the Military Cross for a daring reconnaissance in September which involved swimming round the seaward flank of the Turkish lines. He later served as a staff officer on the Western Front, receiving a DSO. Between the wars he held various staff posts and commanded the 2nd Battalion of his regiment. During the Second World War he was promoted Brigadier and became head of the Civil Affairs unit for Norway under SHAEF. Hansen retired from the army in 1946. Apart from his Victoria Cross and other awards (Ref: OMD 4178-4190) the Museum holds a number of small personal mementoes (Ref: EPH 3383-3385) together with his Passport and a small collection of related documents.
History note
Lucky charm formerly belonging to Captain Percy Hansen VC MC.