Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 227

'He speedily won his stripes and proved himself to be such an efficient non-commissioned officer that he was offered a commission on no less than four occasions. He was killed in action on the 3rd inst., and only a few days previously he met Colonel Smith on the battlefield, who induced him to accept a commission in the Welsh Regiment'

The Western Mail of 29 September 1916, refers)

The British War Medal awarded to Sergeant J. A. Stockwood, Rifle Brigade, who was killed in action on 3 September 1916

British War Medal 1914-20 (S-2869 Sjt. J. A. Stockwood. Rif. Brig.), good very fine

John Arthur Stockwood was born at Cowbridge, Glamorgan in 1878, the son of John and Rachel Stockwood of 155 High Street, Cowbridge. The young Stockwood followed his father into the legal profession becoming a solicitor in Cowbridge at the family firm, Stockwood and Williams.

Enlisting with the Rifle Brigade in Cardiff on 7 September 1914, Stockwood joined as a Private but in the words of one local obituary was 'rapidly promoted to the rank of bombing sergeant.' Entering the war on 21 July 1915 with 10th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, he served with them through the closing months of 1915 and the start of 1916. Wounded in action on 18 May 1916 Stockwood was in hospital until 29 August and as a result missed his Battalion's contribution to the Battle of Mount Sorrel in early June.

Having returned to his unit they arrived at the Somme on 27 July and moved into positions by Guillemont. Advancing on the Hardecourt Road on 3 September they swiftly reached the first objective before advancing up Mount Street towards the second. This second objective proved to be far more heavily defended however with heavy artillery and machine gun fire. Good progress was made but the heavy resistance resulted in high losses, including Stockwood who was killed in action. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial; sold together with copied researching including M.I.C., extracts from Battalion Histories and local newspapers as well as census data, a transcription of the Cowbridge Memorial roll and Commonwealth War Graves details.

Further entitled to the 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal 1914-1919.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£75

Starting price
£20