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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 517

'But now what could I think? The end could not be far off...We waited for what seemed like a minute, with an appalling din going on outside. Then Bradfield turned to Billy and said: 'I must try to stop this.' He went out of the room, and we could hear his voice shouting in Arabic. Then came two distinct shots. 'Bradfield, Bradfield,' I screamed, 'come back!'. But there was no answer. 'I'll go out and see,' said Wrigley a moment later. He went straight out. I never saw either of them again alive.'
The emotive campaign group of three awarded to Captain W. T. Wrigley, Political Department - late 5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment - who was killed in the defence of the post at Shahraban on 15 August 1920

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. W. T. Wrigley. Wilts R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. T. Wrigley), BWM erased, very fine (3)

[M.C.] London Gazette 26 August 1918 (Mesopotamia).

Willoughby Thornton Wrigley was born at Nhill, Victoria, Australia and was educated at St John's, Leatherhead and then went up to Keble College, Oxford. With the outbreak of the Great War he enlsited in September 1914 and served on Gallipoli with the 5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment from 3 August 1915. He assumed command of 'D' Company on 17 October and went with his unit into Mesopotamia afterwards, earning his M.C. and a 'mention' to boot.

It was whilst serving with the Political Department that he shared in the Defence of Shahraban and was killed on 15 August 1920 (Medal & clasp). The action in which he lost his life was recalled by T. E. Lawrence; sold together with a copy of In the Hands of the Arabs by Zetton Buchanan, which is '...dedicated to the memory of some very gallant gentlemen. Captain J. T. Bradfield, 1/4 Somerset L.I.; Captain W. T. Wrigley, M.C., late 5th Wilts and my husband Captain E. L. Buchanan, late R.A.F.', besides copied research.



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Sold for
£520

Starting price
£130