Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 500
(x) Five: Garrison Sergeant-Major W. Cossey, Rifle Brigade
Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Orange Free State (5918 Pte W. Cossey. Rifle Brigade); Kings South Africa 1902, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5918 Pte W. Cossey. Rifle Brigade.); 1914 Star (5918 Sjt W, Cossey. 2 Rif: Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (5918 Sjt. W. Cossey Rif. Brig.), worn, thus fine (5)
William Cossey was born in June 1979 at Norwich, Norfolk. Enlisted with the Rifle Brigade from 4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment on June 1998 and listed experience in the militia upon attestation.
Posted to South Africa on 26 September 1899 as part of 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade which arrived in Durban on 26 October. From here they marched to Ladysmith and took part in the defence of that town from early November till late February 1900. This they did with some distinction, maintaining a position around the north of the town and taking part in several engagements. Notably including their sally on 8 December 1899 in which they destroyed a Boer artillery piece. They were also heavily engaged during the action of the 6 January 1900, driving off General de Villiers' assault on Wagon Hill and Caesar's Camp. After General Buller relieved the Ladysmith on 28 February 1900 the garrison was given some time to rest before redeploying. Cossey was posted briefly with a detachment from 18 June until 3 September 1900 then transferred to 1st Battalion, Rifles Brigade. Promoted to Acting Corporal on 21 May 1902 and Corporal 1 February 1903.
Qualified to serve as Mounted Infantry on 15 January 1904. Promoted to Acting Sergeant on 7 September on 1905 but accused of misconduct on 9 September and demoted back to Corporal. However he appears to have made an effort to improve his conduct and was promoted Lance Sergeant on 7 February 1906 and Sergeant on 20 November 1909. Cossey's ability with a rifle was demonstrated in the battalion rifle meeting a Kilbride in July 1910. Here he won first prize in a shooting match, in the 'trained soldiers' division, winning himself the sum of one pound in prize money. By the Outbreak of the First World War he was serving with 5th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Promoted Garrison Sergeant-Major on 8 May 1915, he was posted to a Depot Company in Tunbridge, Kent from 26 January 1918. Cossey was demobilised on 17 December 1919 at Winchester; sold together with copied research.
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Sold for
£350
Starting price
£320
