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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 89

Six: Private C. Wiliams, King's Royal Rifle Corps, late South African Constabulary, Natal Carbineers and 1st Rhodesian Regiment, a veteran of the Boer War and Natal rebellion, Williams saw action in German South-West Africa and on the Western Front, being killed in action on 1 July 1916

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (2437 3rd Cl. Tpr. C. Williams. S.A.C.); Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Tpr: C. Williams, Natal Carbineers); 1914-15 Star (Pte. C. Williams 1st Rhodn. Rgt.); British War and Victory Medals (R-16258 Pte. C. Williams. K. R. Rif. C.); together with his Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Charles Williams), number prefix slightly overstruck on the BWM, otherwise very fine (6)

Charles Williams was born at Winford, Somerset in 1882 and was a baker by trade. Having served in the South African Constabulary for 3 years, including during the Boer War, he was 6 months with the Natal Carbineers during the Natal rebellion and thence served for 11 months with the 1st Rhodesian Regiment (Regimental No. 510) from 16 December 1914. They served with the 3rd Infantry Brigade in the German South-West Africa (1915 Star) campaign under General Botha. Having seen action in that theatre, he was discharged on 31 July 1915 but joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 27 October 1915 at London. Joining the 2nd Battalion in France from 31 December 1915, Williams was killed in action on 1 July 1916. The unit had moved up to work on the line near 'Haymarket' on 30 June and made their attack on 'The Triangle' that night, three mines being sprung at 2115hrs. Having thrown themselves forward, in the face of heavy enemy fire and uncut wire, Major Barber was forced to order the withdrawal. The left column made their target and had taken their trench, remaining in action until 0200hrs on 1 July 1916, when they were ordered to pull back. The action cost the Battalion 5 Officers killed and 6 wounded, with 36 other ranks killed, 24 missing and another 167 wounded. Williams is commemorated upon the Arras Memorial. His Medals were sent to his father at Waterloo Villa; sold together with a copied photograph of the recipient, wearing his first 2 Medals, an image of Waterloo Villa, besides research and War Diary extracts.

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Sold for
£950

Starting price
£400