Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 582

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Private P. Edwards, South Wales Borderers, who was decorated for bravery - likely on the Ypres Salient - during the Battle of Passchendaele

Military Medal, G.V.R. (11894 Pte P. Edwards. 1/S.W. Bord:); 1914-15 Star (11894 Pte P. Edwards. S. Wales Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (11894 Pte. P. Edwards. S. Wales Bord.), mounted Court-style for wear by Spink & Son Ltd, good very fine (4)

M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918.

Percy Edwards, of Rhayader, Powys, Wales, and a Blacksmith by trade, was mobilised with the South Wales Borderers on 11 August 1914 and posted to the 1st Battalion in January 1915, arriving in France with his unit the same month. This unit was heavily involved in the Battle of Passchendaele, especially during the second week of November 1917 when a series of bloody attacks, barrages and counter-attacks resulted in 10 officers and 572 other-ranks killed and wounded; the Battalion War Diary makes for sober reading, including reference to being caught in a British artillery barrage and hand-to-hand trench combat with German soldiers.
After being relieved on 12 November the battalion withdrew for rest and recuperation, and the War Diary makes note that, on 29 November: ...'the Corps Commander presented medal ribbons for operations on 10/12th November. There were 30 recipients of the Military Medal in the Bn. The remainder of the Bn paraded under the R.S.M.'. Edwards survived that harrowing time - though his service papers note his being wounded in both 1915 and 1918 - and was transferred to the Special Reserve in April 1919.

Sold with a comprehensive file of copied research including full service papers, London Gazette extracts, M.I.C.'s, War Diary extracts and Medal rolls.

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

Sold for
£650

Starting price
£210