Auction: 16003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 79
Three: Captain G.W. Rees, Royal Engineers, late London Regiment
1914-15 Star (Lieut. G.W. Rees. 10-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G.W. Rees.), nearly extremely fine, together with the recipient's Silver War Badge, the reverse officially impressed 'B13240', a portrait and two group photographs of the recipient, three commissioning documents, as Second Lieutenant, Royal Irish Rifles, 14.6.1907, as Second Lieutenant, Royal Anglesey, Royal Reserve Regiment, 17.11.1908 and as Second Lieutenant, London Regiment, 16.7.1915, Great War certificate, original correspondence relating to his actions during the Zeppelin Raid of 13.10.1915 and a programme for the Australian Military Rugby Team Vs Swansea Rugby Club, signed in pencil by Lieutenant L.M. Keyzor, V.C. (3)
Captain Glyndwr Walker Rees, the son of Colonel W.D. Rees, Royal Engineers; commissioned Second Lieutenant, 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, 14.6.1907; Second Lieutenant, Royal Anglesey, Royal Engineers, 17.11.1908; promoted Lieutenant, 11.2.1910; resigned commission, 7.8.1912; commissioned Second Lieutenant, 10th Battalion (Hackney) London Regiment, 16.7.1915; served with the 10th Battalion London Regiment and Royal Engineers during the Great War on the Western Front; on the 13th October 1915, the German Navy dispatched 6 Zeppelin Airships for a raid upon South London, Rees is noted as having displayed '...coolness and courage' during the raid, his role during the raid itself would appear to have an interesting provenance, to what lead to him receiving a telegram from the Adjutant, 3/10th London Regiment stating 'I am commanded by Army Council to state that they have noted with satisfaction your prompt and effective action on occasion of recent aircraft raid, also G.O.C. London District.; Rees was perhaps desiring to be returned to the Royal Engineers, with whom he had served previously and which was also the Corps of his father, a copied letter from Churchill, dated 4.2.1916 gives further details 'Dear Mr. Rees, I am in receipt of your letter, which has taken some time to reach me, and for which many thanks. I am very pleased to hear of the telegram, you received by order of the Army Council, and it gave me very great satisfaction to make the report, which may have brought the matter to their notice. With regard to the subject to which you refer, I strongly advise you to apply through your C.O. to be brought back to the R.E. Special Reserve in which you have served before, and for which you are specially qualified, and after making enquiries, I am quite certain this is your best line of procedure. I am very pleased to hear you are serving under Mr Walter Guinness, who is a very old friend of mine, and I am quite certain will do all he can for you. With very best wishes, Believe me, Yours very truly, Churchill.'; Rees was successful in his transfer, a newspaper cutting completes his Great War service 'Friends of Lieut. Glyn W. Rees, R.E. (son of Colonel W.D. Rees, R.E., of Swansea), will be interested to learn that he is now in command of a company of Royal Engineers serving in France. It may be remembered that, before being drafted to Egypt, Lieut. Rees had the honour of being highly commended by the Army Council and the General Officer Commanding London District, for his coolness and courage in taking the initiative during a Zeppelin raid in October, 1915, whereby he was instrumental in the saving of many lives and averting a panic.'; died at Brighton, August 1948.
One of Glyndwr's sisters, Sibyl, married Major G.L.T. Eaton, M.C.. For his medals, please see Lot 13.
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Sold for
£240