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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 887

(x) A Great War Pair awarded to 2nd Lieutenant S. W. Foxon, Royal Lancaster Regiment, late Artist's Rifles, who was severely wounded in action he spent the final months of the Great War on the Boulevard Magenta, Paris, acting as Liaison Officer to a French steel manufacturer

British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. S. W. Foxon.), very fine (2)


Sidney William Foxon was born on 20 August 1890 at Sheffield, the son of William Drabble Foxon, who worked as a professor of singing and 'tenor vocalist' in the local area. Educated at Ackworth School, near Pontefract, followed by Wesley College, Sheffield, Foxon joined the Artist's Rifles O.T.C. at Salisbury as a Cadet upon the outbreak of hostilities. Receiving a commission in the 5th Battalion, Royal Lancaster Regiment (later transferring to the 4th Battalion), Foxon served in France from 10 November 1916 and was wounded in action on 19 March 1917 (Artist's Rifles Regimental Roll of Honour and War Record, 1914-1919, refers). Suffering from a severe wound to the shoulder and neck, Foxon was evaluated in February 1918 at No. 2 Red Cross Hospital, Rouen:

'He is suffering from the after effects of a G.S.W. shoulder and lt. neck involving the upper roots of the bronchial planus. There is atrophy of the celtoid, biceps and especially the brachialis anticus muscles and the movements of flexion of the elbow and supination of the forearms are still much weakened' (The Proceedings of a Medical Board, refers).

Six months later Foxon was posted to Paris and spent the remainder of the war as Liaison Officer to a French steel company, a similar role to that which he held in civilian life prior to the war. He returned home at the cessation of hostilities and died at Ecclesall, Derbyshire, on 20 August 1921; sold with original medal identity disc and contemporary bracelet, 'S.W. Foxon, 2. Lieut, C. of E., 5 K.O.R.L.; a Royal Academy of Music Medal, bronze, 'William D Foxon Singing 1886', awarded to the recipient's father, and a Royal Academy of Music Medal, bronze, 'Mary Moon Singing 1884', awarded to the recipient's mother; a brass Artist's Rifles cap badge with wearing pin; King's Own cap badge with wearing pin, and copied MIC with officer's service record.


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Sold for
£140

Starting price
£40