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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 898

(x) A poignant 'Palestine' 1917 Casualty pair and plaque awarded to Private W. C. Colyer, London Regiment, who was killed during the successful assault on fixed Turkish positions defending the City of Jerusalem

British War and Victory Medals (4985 Pte. W. C. Colyer. 19-Lond. R.), with bronze Memorial Plaque 'William Colyer', good very fine (3)


William Charles Colyer was born in 1897 at St Pancras, the son of Arthur and Minnie Colyer of 5 Sidney Street, Somers Town, St Pancras, London. A van guard by occupation, Colyer initially attested for the 18th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but was discharged due to being underage. He returned to London and enlisted into the London Regiment at Camden Town on 30 September 1915, being appointed Private in the 2/19th Battalion and posted to France and Flanders from 24 June 1916 to 24 November 1916.

Transferred to the Balkan theatre of operations on 1 December 1916, Colyer soon found himself in trouble with authority, being disciplined and awarded 14 days' field punishment No. 1 in January 1916. He subsequently sailed from Salonika on 10 June 1917 and disembarked at Alexandria two days later as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, but was sent to hospital two months later suffering from tonsillitis. Having recovered, he received a minor wound whilst on duty on 30 November 1917 and was killed in action soon thereafter on 8 December 1917 when the 60th (London) Division successfully captured the prepared war defences of the City of Jerusalem. That night Turkish forces quietly retreated from the city and the next morning the Mayor reached Allied lines with the Turkish Governor's letter of surrender. Colyer is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel, which was begun after the occupation of the City with 270 burials; sold with copied service record and MIC.


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Sold for
£140

Starting price
£80