Former England cricketer Jack Russell's military medal collection sells for £74,000
A military medal collection belonging to former England cricketer Jack Russell has sold for £74,000 at auction.
It included a Military Cross awarded to First World War soldier Graham Bromhead Bosanquet – an officer in the Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
The medal was one of 135 military decorations collected by the former international wicketkeeper, who played 54 test matches for his country between 1988 and 1998.
The 62-year-old has described his lifelong fascination with military history as "an addiction" but felt it was the right time to pass on his collection for someone else to look after.
He said: "When abroad on tour with the England cricket team I would always try to spend as much time as I could visiting the nearest battlefield or military site and, whenever possible, pay my respects to any military graves that I could find."
Russell, who spent his entire county career with his native Gloucestershire, began collecting the medals 30 years ago.
He added: "Initially I collected to all regiments, but I soon focused my attention on my home county regiment, trying to cover each battalion and as many campaigns as possible.
"I feel that I have got as close to the regiment and its fighting men as I possibly could, and it is now the time to hand them on to other collectors to take guardianship and look after these extraordinary men's medals for the next stage of their journey.
"My Gloucestershire roots are strong so I may start collecting medals to Gloucestershire men who fought in other regiments. I may even narrow it down to soldiers from my hometown, Stroud. Who knows?
"However, I am certain that my passion for military history will continue to grow – with me it is an addiction!"
Maj Bromhead Bosanquet's medal fetched £6,000 when it was sold at auction at Noonans in London.
The only son of Admiral Sir Day Hort Bosanquet, a senior officer in the Royal Navy and British politician, he served in the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment during the war.
He was killed in action at Ovillers, aged 30, whilst attached as Brigade Major to the 64th Infantry Brigade.
He was buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boiselle.
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