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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 293

(x) The ‘Somme Offensive 1916’ M.M., Order of St. John Serving Brother's group of seven awarded to Private W. Powls, Royal Army Medical Corps, late St. John Ambulance Brigade

The Most Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother's Badge, silver and enamel; Military Medal, G.V.R. (420 Pte W. Powls. 9/F. A. R.A.M.C.); 1914 Star, clasp (420 Pte. W. Powls. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (420 Pte W. Powls. R.A.M.C.); Special Constabulary L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (William Powls.); Service Medal of the Order of St John, with gilt 5 Year Bar and silvered 1 Year Bar (4245. Supt. W. Powls Bridlington Div No 5 Dist. S.J.A.B. 1975), heavy pitting, contact wear overall, very fine (7)

M.M. London Gazette 27 October 1916.

William Powls was born at St. Thomas, Hull in 1883 and was serving as a professional soldier prior to the Great War, having enlisted on 20 January 1909. His service papers give the address of his wife at this time as Wesleyan Church House, St. John Street, Bridlington. Entering the war in France on 19 August 1914 Powls served throughout the Retreat from Mons and all the way to the Somme Offensive with the 9th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

Winning his M.M. at some stage during the Somme Offensive Powls was hospitalised by a recurring health problem and returned to Britian in September 1916. He returned to France only to be evacuated and return to duty twice more. Powls was discharged on 8 July 1919 and spent much of the rest of his life in service with the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£480

Starting price
£320